The busiest market in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Wuse Market, returned to its usual bustling activity yesterday following a recent crisis involving an attack on market management staff by touts operating within the market.
The trouble began on Monday morning when hoodlums targeted the market compliance officers, known as the Taskforce, who had just resumed duty after being transferred from other markets by the Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML), the body responsible for managing several markets in the FCT.
The attack left three of the market management staff in critical condition, while others sustained various degrees of injuries. The market office was also damaged, with valuable items destroyed by the assailants.
Innocent Amaechina, Head of Operations at AMML, addressed the situation, explaining that the hoodlums had attacked the AMML staff because these compliance officers were effectively curbing the activities of the touts.
“On sighting these particular staff, the touts, who were aware of the transfer, swooped on our staff, leaving three of them severely injured,” Amaechina said.
Amaechina clarified that no staff member had been sacked, contrary to reports suggesting that the hoodlums were protesting the return of a dismissed employee.
He questioned the authority of touts and hoodlums to decide or protest who should be part of the market management team, stating, “It is perplexing how touts and hoodlums, who have no stake in the market, would be in a position to choose or protest the composition of the market management team.”
He expressed gratitude to the FCT Police Commissioner, Ben Igweh, for his swift intervention in restoring order to the market.
“We are glad to report that the FCT Police are on top of this, and we are providing all necessary support alongside the Wuse Market traders to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book,” Amaechina said.
Amaechina also acknowledged the trauma experienced by the staff, traders, and other market users due to the incident. He assured stakeholders and market users that AMML is committed to implementing comprehensive measures to ensure sustainable safety and order in the market.
“We are not unmindful of the trauma that our staff, the traders, and other market users have endured, as well as the negative perception these occurrences may create. We assure all our stakeholders and market users that we will not let this slide. Far-reaching measures are being put in place to maintain sanity in the market,” he added.
