Hoodlums on Monday allegedly set ablaze a market in Bwari, a town in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital territory.
While the actual reason behind the violence is yet to be ascertained, eyewitnesses said several shops were burnt down at the market.
They said the incident was a fallout of a reported clash between some youths of two ethnic groups – the Gbagyis (who are said to be the original inhabitants of the town) and Hausas in the community.
According to a source, a Gbagyi youth was allegedly injured and killed by a member of the other group on Sunday night, but the report is yet to be confirmed by the relevant authorities.
Public Relations Officer for the FCT Police Command, Manzah Anjuguri, also confirmed the incident to Channels Television but said the details of the clash remains sketchy.
He, however, said the police have begun to investigate the incident to ascertain the root cause.
Anjuguri further said the most important thing in the area was for law and order to be restored which the police and other security agencies have done.
Meanwhile, a local resident in the area said tension had been existing between the Gbagyis and the Hausas in the community for some time.
The man, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, noted that the recent clash occurred following the reported leadership battle between the traditional rulers of both ethnic groups.
He said the Gbagyis allegedly stormed the market on Christmas day and set it ablaze in what appeared to be a retaliation for the purported death of one of them.
