29th February, 2012
The Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB, Model Market, Suleja, Niger State, North Central Nigeria, was shut for some hours today as a result of bomb scare that gripped residents of the area as well as market men and women.
P.M.NEWS learnt that the traders were thrown into confusion when some of them noticed a school bag in the middle of the market. They feared that the abandoned school bag might have contained explosives.
Consequently, leaders of the IBB Model Market drew the attention of policemen attached to the ‘A’ Division, policemen attached to the anti-bomb unit of the station and soldiers were drafted to the market.
First, the security operatives shut down the market and also advised all the traders to vacate the market in their own interest.
After searching for some hours, the security operatives discovered a school bag which contained clothes and faeces. The market was then reopened and traders resumed normal business activities.
Contacted, the Niger State Command Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Richard Ogwuchie confirmed the incident.
He said the security agents took the action because of incessant bomb explosions that had rocked Suleja and series of attacks by members of the Boko Haram sect in the state and nationwide.
Oguchie assured residents that the police will continue to ensure security of lives and property at all times.
Meanwhile, the Niger State government has banned the operation of commercial motorcycle (okada) in Minna, the state capital from 6 p.m. till 7 a.m.
The state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Danladi Abdulhamid, in a statement, said the action was taken to forestall a recurrence of an incident where four policemen were recently killed during an attack on them in Minna.
The commissioner said, “the measure is not aimed at banning okada operation in the state but to ensure protection of security agents.”
He apologised to the family of Hajara Yusuf, a 13-year old pupil who was beaten to a coma by soldiers who were drafted to Minna Central Prison.
He added that efforts have been made to reach the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Minna to bring the erring soldiers to book.
—Musa Aliyu/Minna