Market stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have strongly urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the inspector-general of police (IGP) to dismiss claims of unrest in Abuja market.
This is in response to a recent article in a national daily, where it was alleged that unrest in the market was due to the Abuja Investment Company Limited’s disregard for a court order.
The spokesperson for the market professionals, Mrs Ogechi Okwudili, emphasised that the allegations were false.
The board of Abuja Investment Company Limited (AMML) composed of company shareholders, had passed a vote of no confidence in Abubakar Farouk following his presentation of a court order during a meeting.
Subsequently, Farouk attempted to enter the AMML premises with plainclothes police personnel from the Durumi outpost.
However, prompt intervention by uniformed officers dispatched from the Command headquarters helped defuse the situation, and both parties were summoned to the Division headquarters in Durumi.
After negotiations led by the Division Police Officer (DPO) and endorsed by Deputy Commissioners of Police Bello and Hawa, an agreement was reached to maintain the status quo for the sake of peace.
Acting on the orders of the acting minister and permanent secretary, the FCTA Security Services Department instructed the FCT Police to seal the AMML office.
The market analysts pointed out that the majority of markets in the area had already been entrusted to private managers through a concession process.
They also stressed that even if one possesses a court order, established processes of appeal must be adhered to.
