1 Killed As NSCDC Personnel Clash With Traders In Jos

One person was reportedly killed on Thursday while several vehicles were damaged following a clash between personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and traders at Chorbe Market in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident reportedly began when NSCDC personnel were invited by officials of the market traders’ association to enforce a weekly sanitation exercise.

According to a report by the PUNCH, a trader who spoke about the incident said trouble started when the operatives attempted to compel traders operating along the roadside to shut their shops and participate in the exercise.

The affected traders reportedly resisted, arguing that they were not members of the market association and should therefore not be subjected to its sanitation directive.

One of the traders, Sani Musa, said, “Our shops are along the road, not inside the market. We told them we are not part of their sanitation exercise, but they insisted we must close.”

Another trader, Mrs Grace John, who sells provisions near the market, alleged that the situation escalated after the armed operatives began harassing traders.

“They came with guns and started threatening us. When some of the traders refused, they started shooting. One person was shot and, in the process, some hoodlums smashed the windscreens of vehicles parked along the road,” she said.

A vehicle owner, Ibrahim Yusuf, whose car was damaged during the incident, expressed frustration over the destruction.

“I just parked my car by the roadside to buy something. Before I came back, they had smashed the windscreen. Who will pay for this now?” he asked.

The incident reportedly caused panic in the area, with streets around the market becoming deserted within minutes as residents fled into their homes and locked their doors.

The unrest also spread to adjoining areas, including Apata, Alikazaure, Katako and Masalachi, extending towards Bauchi Road. The areas have previously been identified by residents as hotspots for clashes in Jos North.

The injured trader was reportedly taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention.

However as at the time of filing this Plateau State Police Command is yet to issue a statement on this incident.