The devastating fire that tore through Wuse Market in Abuja on Tuesday, destroying at least 10 shops and claiming the life of one Yahaya Ibrahim, a hawker, was allegedly sparked by the actions of Musa, head of the market’s task force, according to numerous eyewitness accounts. Protests erupted after Musa allegedly ordered a prison warder to fatally shoot Ibrahim for trying to flee arrest, igniting unrest that led to the devastating fire.
The chaos began when Ibrahim, a hawker, was apprehended for violating market regulations and made to face a mobile court that sits at the market every Tuesday. Unable to pay bail and fearing another prison term, he attempted to escape while handcuffed. Musa reportedly instructed a correctional officer to shoot, leading to Ibrahim’s death in Wuse Zone 5 after a chase.
