Abuja Markets Close To Prevent Boko Haram Attack

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Tuesday, June 10th, 2014

Three major markets in Abuja was shutdown on Tuesday following intelligence reports that they may be bombed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

Security agents shut down the three major markets in the city, Wuse,Utako and Garki- and combed them with electronic scanners for almost three hours, but nothing suspicious was found in the markets.

Our correspondents gathered that security agents had got wind of plans by some criminal elements to plant Improvised Explosive Devices in the markets and promptly moved to pre-empt the plot by shutting down the facilities for proper security checks.

Investigations showed that the three markets are usually crowded with shoppers and they presented an attractive targets to terrorists which security agencies are aware of.

The Secretary, Garki Modern Market Association, Abubakar Moriti, said he was called by his chairman that the market would not open on time because there would be a security check in the market.

“My Chairman called me around 6.25am that the market would not be opened on time because there was a report that Boko Haram members are in Abuja and were planning to bomb Abuja markets. When I got to the market around 7am, I found some people at the gate who asked me why the market was not opened and I explained to them. The market was eventually opened around 9am,” he explained.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Altine Daniel, however described the lockdown of the markets as a routine security check.

She said, “It was a routine security check carried out by sweeping the markets by our men to safeguard the people. No bomb scare anywhere in Abuja.”