Tension in Jos as soldiers escort Hausa traders to market

Date: 27-01-2011 10:55 am (13 years ago) | Author: Aliuniyi lawal
- at 27-01-2011 10:55 AM (13 years ago)
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There was palpable tension in Jos on Wednesday as some soldiers attached to the Special Task Force attempted to escort some Hausa traders to Gada Biu and Abbatori Meat Market.


Trouble started when some youths mobilised against the traders and their military escorts. They forced the soldiers and the traders to flee, even as the soldiers shot sporadically.


The sounds of gunshots sent shivers down the spines of residents as they scampered to safety.


There was commotion along Ahmadu Bello Way and Old Bukuru Park as some banks and traders hurriedly shut their shops.


It was gathered that at an earlier peace parley arranged by the STF between the youth and the Hausa butchers, the butchers had pleaded that they be allowed to resume their business in the area. But the youth were said to have insisted that the exit of the butchers after the Christmas Eve bomb blast “was a good riddance to a bad rubbish.”


One of the youth leaders, who simply identified himself as Gyang, said that allowing the butchers to return to the market would be detrimental to their safety because the butchers had been collaborating with their attackers.


But the STF commander, Brig.-Gen. Hassan Umaru, could not comment on the involvement of soldiers in relocating Hausa traders.


On the call that the JTF in Jos be disbanded, he said, “As a military officer I’m not worried by such calls to remove us from Jos, it is normal, let people have their say, it is their right to complain or express themselves. But I will advise that people should allow the Federal Government and those in authority to handle the issue appropriately.”


Umaru also said, “The issue of the women protesting is not encouraging, the women go about throwing stones at members of the task force.


“It’s not something I will accept, members of the STF can spring at the slightest provocation especially what happened at K/Vom, I had to control my men. I could see their annoyance but I insisted they should not shoot at the women.”

Posted: at 27-01-2011 10:55 AM (13 years ago) | Gistmaniac
- apprehended at 29-01-2011 01:48 AM (13 years ago)
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emmmm ok
Posted: at 29-01-2011 01:48 AM (13 years ago) | Upcoming
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- truthisbitter at 29-01-2011 05:36 AM (13 years ago)
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ONE OF THE WOMEN CAN BE YOUR RELATIVE
Posted: at 29-01-2011 05:36 AM (13 years ago) | Upcoming
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