*9 buses, police van burnt
Traders at Dei-Dei International Market, FCT Abuja, Saturday evening fought hoodlums who blocked the convoy of their guest, PDP vice-presidential candidate Mr Peter Obi.
The urchins packed in APC campaign buses were said to have been returning to Gwagwa and Jiwa when they sighted Obi’s convoy leaving the regional market. They blocked the road, and when some drivers on the convoy manoeuvred their way out, the hoodlums hit and damaged one of the cars. Obi and his convoy continued their journey.
Not yet satisfied, the supposed APC campaigners moved to a field in front of the market and started stoning traders in drinking pubs and smashing their cars. On discovering that the hoodlums had broken several windscreens and punctured their tyres, the traders came out in large numbers to confront their attackers.
The hoodlums escaped only to reinforce and return to the market about 40 minutes later.
The angry traders mobilised and put the hoodlums to flight once more. Police fired shots in the air to scare the fighters away. But the angry mob set all buses (labelled APC) they could find on fire.
Up until 7pm when Eyeway visited the scene of the incident, several buses were still smouldering. Eyewitnesses said nine Toyota Hummer buses and one police Hilux van were torched. Nobody was killed, however.
The FCT police commissioner has visited the scene. Armed mobile policemen and soldiers were all over the area Saturday evening.
