Following ACF travel advisory, there was tension in Jos, the Plateau State capital on Monday, as Igbo traders, who had earlier opened their shops at Terminus Market shut them because of fear of attacks by northern youths.
A detachment of policemen took over the market following palpable tension that enveloped the area and the adjoining streets.
When Punch visited the market at 5pm, it was observed that most shops belonging to the Igbo were closed while those owned by northerners continued with their businesses.
Initially, it was thought that the Igbo were observing the sit-at-home order by IPOB in solidarity with their counterparts in the South-East, but a trader said if they were doing that they should have started in the morning.
One of the traders, Ogechi Chukwuma who returned home after locking her shop blamed the tension on some Hausa whom she accused of planning to attack the market with weapons
She said “Today, the situation in Jos market has nothing to do with IPOB. We came to the market and opened our shops for business as usual. But around 1pm, some Hausa boys were seen brandishing some cutlasses and other dangerous weapons and information quickly circulated round the market that they were planning to attack the Igbo over the killing of a former presidential aide, Ahmed Gulak in Imo State.
“So, that caused the tension as the Igbo and non-Hausa traders started closing their shops to avoid being caught in the alleged planned attack”But the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee in the market, Alhaji Alli Karami, denied that the Hausa were planning to attack the Igbo in the market.
He added that it was not unusual for rumour mongers to capitalise on unfortunate occurrences to cause tension, and that was the case in Jos.
Karami said, “We were surprised to see the Igbo locking their shops in the market. When we inquired to know the reason for their action, nobody told us anything. But if the reason is based on rumoured planned attack on them by the Hausa, then I can tell you that it is not true because there was no such plan by the Hausa to attack anyone in the market. You can see that we did not close our shops”
The Spokesman for the state Police Command, Ubah Ogaba said, “Our men were deployed in the market to maintain law and other. The area is calm now.”
Let Zebra News help your business/brand reach a wider audience. Advertise with us today! Contact Our Marketing Team; Tel: 08062622328, 07083662767. Email: zebranewsng@gmail.com
