The Federal Capital Territory Administration, on Tuesday, shut the Dutse Ultramodern Market and the Oloye Olajumoke Shopping Complex in Dutse, Abuja.
The development followed an attack on workers of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board in Dutse by hoodlums, who also set their office on fire.
Tension rose as the hoodlums attacked the workers in protest over the demolition of illegal structures in the two markets.
The demolition was carried out to ensure a free flow of traffic and proper environmental sanitisation in the markets.
It took the timely intervention of a combined team of policemen and soldiers before normalcy was restored in the markets.
It was learnt that 25 persons had been arrested by the police in connection with the attack.
The Chairman of the Ministerial Task Team on Traffic Management in the FCT, Ikharo Abuja, while inspecting the shut markets, described the attack on government officials as appalling and sad.
He said because of the incident, the Minister of the FCT, Muhammadu Bello, in consultation with the Chairman of the Bwari Area Council, John Gabaya, had ordered the immediate closure of the two markets.
He said, “The officials were clearing the market when some people attacked the policemen and workers on duty. Thank God, the workers escaped safely.
“The markets will remain closed until the minister and the chairman have certified the markets fit for both trading and habitation.”
Attah confirmed that 25 persons had been arrested by the police.
The Secretary of Bwari Area Council, Kadanya Peters, said the hoodlums blocked the road, disturbed vehicular movement and also set up a bonfire.
Peters added that the agitation started on Monday when aggrieved persons at the market pelted the officials with stones.
Punch
