FCT Minister Mohammad Bello, on Wednesday ordered the indefinite closure of Dei – Dei International Market following a clash between commercial motorcyclists and the traders.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLPoFK9vLBY

Bello gave the order after inspecting the scene of the incident with FCT Commissioner of Police Sunday Babaji, Director State Security Services, other sister security agencies and top officials of the FCT Administration.

Trouble started in the market when a female trader yet to be identified fell off a commercial motorcycle and was crushed to death by an articulated vehicle.

The minister directed the community and the market leaders to fish out the hoodlums responsible for the crisis.

” The community and market leaders must fish out hoodlums and bad eggs among them, unfortunately this time around hoodlums carry arms and they shot innocent people.

” As a matter of fact, I saw four corpses this is very sad and totally unequivocally unacceptable in Abuja.

“We have agreed with security agencies that full scale investigations will be done, and the communities have to be part and parcel of the solution or else there will be no peace.

” In the interim the timber market and the surrounding markets, including all the activities on road that have clustered the road and made it unpassable will all stop untill the technical team reviews everything, and then we will take the next decision.”

Bello said that there was no tribal or religious misunderstanding because all the leadership of various communities have lived in peace for many years.

” This is simply the matter of criminals and hoodlums taking the laws into their hands.” he said.

The Vice Chairman, Timber Shed Market Dei-Dei, Ifeanyi Chibata told the minister and his team that

45 to 50 shops were burnt with 25 vehicles set ablaze which total over one billion naira.

Also, the Secretary Tomato and Onion Sellers Association Dei-Dei, Dahiru Mani disclosed that four persons were killed during the clash in the market.

He appealed to the minister to ensure the provision of a police division with adequate personnel in the market.

Meanwhile,the FCT Police restored normalcy in Dei-dei town of Bwari Area Council, following a civil unrest in the area.

This is contained in a statement, signed by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Josephine Adeh.

The police stated that the situation was brought under control alongside its sister agencies, as it continued an eagle eye monitoring and surveillance amidst discrete investigation.

“This followed after the outbreak of a civil unrest at Building Material market , Dei Dei area of the FCT at about 11:30 am today.

” A comprehensive deployment of tactical and intelligence assets of the Command was led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Babaji Sunday psc, who drifted swiftly to the scene to ensure that the unrest is being nipped in the board and managed.

” This was also to forestall the destruction of private and government infrastructure, loss of lives and properties and to restore normalcy to the situation.”

A gender advocate and President , World Women Leading Change Nigeria, Ogenna Walter Ekwubiri has said that beauty queens across Nigeria have the capacity to unify young people, women and bring hope to the common man.

According to her, beyond being beautiful faces, winners of pageantry shows can help inspire and ginger the spirit of can-do in young people to let them know they can achieve all they aspire in life irrespective of gender and background.

Ogenna who was recently appointed chairperson Directorate of Queens Affairs and Related Matters Committee of Association of Beauty Pageants and Fashion Exhibition Organisers of Nigeria, ABPFEON spoke at inuguration press conference of the association.

She said her committee will create an enabling environment for mentorship, sponsorship, development, integration, growth and leadership.

Ogenna Walter Ekwubiri is also Founder of Motivating African Youths Initiative which is a Pan African Movement geared towards securing a better future for women and youths .

Former Queen of Aso International and ex Miss Tourism Nigeria, she is also a public speaker.

The committee has as members, Queen Mercy Atang, Queen Isabella Ayuk and Queen Dimma Edochie.

Queen Mercy Atang who is also Secretary of the Committee of Directorate of Queens Affairs and Related Matters is a BBNaija former housemate, former Face Of Democracy Southern Nigeria, former Miss Nigeria International and winner of Miss International World Classic which took place in Florida, United States of America, in 2018.

Queen Isabella Ayuk is Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria 2012 and Organiser of Most Beautiful Girl In Cross River, a committee member while Queen Dimma Edochie is former Face Of Nigeria World and organizer of Face Of Nigeria Enugu.

The meeting also had in attendance chairmen of State chapters and discussions took places extensively on how to meaningfully engage the youths more in the project Nigeria.