Two people were killed yesterday in Enugu, following a bloody clash between Igbo traders and a Fulani at the Gariki market.
The deceased persons were simply identified as Ali and Ifeanyi.
The Guardian learnt that trouble started when the late Ali brought a cow from new Artisan market to slaughter in Gariki abattoir where Ifeanyi worked as an attendant.
The idea to bring the cow to Gariki abattoir was due to the state government’s order to close the Artisan market following a clash that led to the death of a policeman, Gabriel Ugwu.According to a source at the market, the quarrel started when the late Ali paid Ifeanyi N400 as slaughter fee instead of the stipulated N500.
The argument over the balance of N100 led to a fight in which the Fulani allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed him to death.
It was further learnt that as he tried to escape from the scene, some outraged Igbo traders held him and killed him in retaliation.
The angry traders were said to have later mobilised against the Fulani people in the market and burnt a mosque located inside Gariki market.
The situation created panic in the area as the traders ran for their safety leaving their wares.
However, normalcy has returned to the market, following the deployment of anti-riot policemen in the market and its environs.
The spokesman for Enugu State Police Command, Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the death.
He said the deployment of anti-riot policemen was to prevent the crisis from escalating.
“The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Douglas Agbonleni, has beefed up security in the area to avoid a breakdown of law and order. He has also ordered a full scale investigation into the incident,” he said.
