The popular Wuse Market in Abuja has been set ablaze by rampaging youths after a policeman reportedly killed a hawker on Tuesday.
The 17-year-old hawker was simply identified as Musa.
Witnesses said cars and shops were burned down by the rampaging youths.
The office of the Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML) inside the market as well as some cars parked at the market’s car park were reportedly torched.
It was learnt that the hawker, who was being tried at the mobile court in the market, attempted to run away, but was reportedly shot and killed by the police.
Eyewitnesses saw traders going helter-skelter trying to close their shops.
The incident also caused pandemonium and confusion as well as traffic gridlock on all the roads leading to the market.
Policemen arrived at the market and barricaded the entrance to prevent people from moving into the market.
They had to fire gunshots and tear gas into the air to scare hoodlums away.
Cars parked at the northern side of the entrance had been engulfed as smoke billowed into the atmosphere.
People inside the market are also seen forcing their way out by jumping the perimeter fence before the arrival of firefighters.
AMML spokesperson Innocent Amaechina said the operatives of the Fire Service and the police had cordoned the area and that he couldn’t access the area himself.
