Nigeria: FCT minister meets families of victims of deadly clash in Dei-Dei market

Mohammed Bello, FCT Minister, on Sunday, 22 May, visited the families of victims of last Wednesday’s deadly clash that took place in the Dei-Dei market that took lives and properties worth millions of naira. 

On Wednesday, the clash took place between commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as okada riders, which claimed at least four lives.

The trouble began in the market when a female trader fell off a commercial motorcycle and was crushed to death by a vehicle.

Bello, who met with the families at a Mosque located at the Dei-Dei market, stated the visit was to commemorate the victims and offer support to their families at this difficult moment of their lives. 

Olusade Adesola, who is represented by the FCTA permanent secretary, noted that the administration was deeply saddened by the unfortunate killings and devastation of properties as he advised residents to resist the desire to take laws into their hands. 

“On behalf of the Honourable Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello and Minister of State for FCT, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, I convey their condolences and commiseration to you and pray that God will help us not to see a repetition of such a situation.”

Earlier speaking, Musa Idris, the chief of Jawa, His Royal Highness, commended the minister for taking urgent measures to control the situation. 

He also appealed to the traders to look for more civilised options to settle their disputes other than taking laws into their hands. 

Tochukwu Nze Diugwu, the Chief of the Igbo Community in Dei-Dei, who also commended the minister for shutting down the market immediately after the clash, stated more damages would have taken place if this decision was not taken. 

The minister also presented the victims’ families with cash and promised that the administration would settle the bills of victims acquiring treatment at various hospitals.