Popular Wuse Market in Abuja’s Central Area, located within the Federal Capital Territory, caught fire on Tuesday evening, triggering an alarm and prompting people in the area to hastily evacuate.
The source of the fire outbreak remained unknown at the time this report was made.
Meanwhile, all business activities in the market area have been suspended for the day.
Chaos and confusion prevail, with traffic jams occurring on all roads leading to the market, and people running in various directions. The police, upon arriving at the market, cordoned off the entrance to stop individuals from entering the market premises.
They engaged in sporadic shooting and deployed tear gas into the air.
Some vehicles in the car park have been burnt already. People inside the market are also seen forcing their way out by jumping the perimeter fence.
Firefighters have arrived as this report is being filed.
On Tuesday the 12th of March, 2024, fire did not gut Wuse Market in Abuja but the affected areas were deliberately set ablaze by irate youth as a reaction to what happened – one of the prisoners on transit attempted to escape with handcuffs on his hands. He was ginned down instead of the officers to chase and apprehend him.