A violent clash broke out on Thursday at Chorbe Market in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria, between personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and traders. The incident resulted in one person being fatally shot and several vehicles being damaged. According to traders, the clash was sparked when NSCDC operatives attempted to enforce a weekly sanitation exercise.
The NSCDC operatives were invited by officials of the market traders' association to ensure compliance with the sanitation exercise. However, traders operating along the roadside resisted the move, arguing that they were not members of the market association and should not be compelled to observe the directive. The situation escalated when the armed operatives allegedly began harassing traders, leading to a confrontation.
Traders who spoke to reporters described the events that unfolded, with one trader, Sani Musa, stating that they were told to close their shops but refused, leading to the NSCDC operatives taking action. Another trader, Mrs. Grace John, claimed that the operatives came with guns and started threatening them, and when some traders refused to comply, they started shooting.
The violence resulted in one person being shot and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Additionally, some hoodlums took advantage of the situation and smashed the windscreens of vehicles parked along the road. Ibrahim Yusuf, a vehicle owner, lamented the destruction, asking who would now pay for the damages.
The clash led to a rapid desertion of the streets around the market, with residents fleeing into their houses and locking their doors. The adjoining areas, including Apata, Alikazaure, Katako, and Masalachi, extending to Bauchi Road, experienced pandemonium, as these areas are known for frequent clashes in Jos North.
Efforts to reach the spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alfred Alabo, were unsuccessful, as his telephone could not be reached at the time of reporting. The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in Jos North and the need for effective communication and collaboration between security agencies and traders.
The clash between NSCDC personnel and traders in Jos market is the latest in a series of incidents highlighting the complex security situation in Plateau State. The state has experienced recurring violence and clashes, often sparked by disputes over land, resources, or other issues.
Key points
- One person was fatally shot and several vehicles were damaged during the clash.
- The clash was triggered by NSCDC operatives attempting to enforce a weekly sanitation exercise.
- The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in Jos North and the need for effective communication and collaboration between security agencies and traders.
