A part of Wuse Market in the Central Area of Abuja was engulfed in flames on Tuesday evening, with the police attributing the inferno to the actions of a mob expressing their anger over a shooting incident.

The chaos resulting from the fire led to pandemonium and confusion, causing traffic gridlock on all roads leading to the market.

Confirming the cause of the fire, the Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, stated, “Preliminary investigation revealed that one Ibrahim Yahaya, 27 years old, was apprehended by operatives of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) Task Force and was taken before a mobile court which sits every Tuesday in Wuse Market, and he was convicted.”

The suspect, Yahaya, attempted to escape while being conveyed to prison and was shot by a correctional officer. This incident incited some bystanders to set ablaze eight vehicles and ten shops in the vicinity.

Adeh further disclosed, “The FCT Police Command has arrested the Correctional officer by name CA2 Usman Ishaya Magaji, the officer who shot the victim… Suspect presently in police custody as Investigation is ongoing.”

Despite the chaos, firefighters and security agencies, including the Federal Fire Service, swiftly intervened to control the blaze and restore calm to the area.

“While normalcy has since been restored, and the investigation is still ongoing,” emphasized SP Adeh, “the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth Igweh psc, mni, encourages residents to peacefully go about their lawful businesses without fear.”