Police Quell Unrest Following Market Incident in Abuja
In response to reports of civil unrest at Wuse Market on March 12, 2024, the Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Benneth Igweh, personally led a team to the scene and swiftly restored order, stated Josephine Adeh, the Police Public Relations Officer.
The unrest ensued after Ibrahim Yahaya, aged 27, attempted to escape custody while being transported to prison. Yahaya had been apprehended by operatives of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) Task Force and convicted by a mobile court in Wuse Market. During the escape attempt, Yahaya was shot by armed corrections personnel and later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Witnessing the incident, some individuals reacted by setting fire to eight vehicles and ten shops in the vicinity. However, the situation was brought under control through the collaborative efforts of the Federal Fire Service and other security agencies.
CP Benneth Igweh emphasized the restoration of normalcy and ongoing investigations, urging residents to carry on with their lawful activities peacefully. Additionally, he urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
