8th December, 2015
Youths in Lambata on Tuesday blocked the major highway leading into Minna, the Niger State capital.
The youths were protesting the relocation of the Lambata market by the state government.
Malam Hassan Adamu, a fish seller in Lambata, said that the road was blocked since Monday evening.
“The youths came out late night to block the road due to the stopping of market activities by government.
“The Izom people wanted the Lambata and Izom markets to operate simultaneously, but there is opposition from Lambata,” he said.
ASP Elkana Bala, Police Spokesman, confirmed the blockage to NAN, saying security had already been deployed to the venue.
“Our men have been deployed and situation will soon be under control. I urge all involved to be law abiding,” he told NAN.
NAN reports that as at 11:30am the bridge at Izom linking Minna and Suleja was still blocked by youths while tear gas was fired into the air to disperse them.
NAN reports that the lingering crisis was caused by the killing of three Fulani herdsmen at the Lambata market a fortnight ago which led to the intervention of the state government.