The Nigerian Army in its fight against the dreaded Boko Haram went to the broke on Sunday in Damaturu as it shut the Damaturu Sunday market. This was the same market where a female suicide bomber killed twenty people a week ago.
It is believed that the decision to close the market may not be unconnected with last Sunday’s attack.
Most of the traders that came from far to attend the market were stranded on arrival at the market as stern looking soldiers blocked all the entrances into the market and prevented them from off-loading their goods for sale.
It was gathered that some traders who gained entry into the market early and began transactions were chased out by the security agents at about 8.30 am.
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman Traders Association in Yobe State Usman Muazu regretted the action of the security agents.
He noted that the action of the security could be for the welfare of the people but stressed that an announcement would have been made at least 48 hours before the day of the market so as to avoid the loss incurred by the traders.
Muazu said that his members got rumours that about eight markets in the state would be closed but there was no official announcement on the matter.
He listed some of the market billed for closing as: Kukareta; Damaturu; Ngelzarma; Nanawaji; Katarko; Mafa; Sasawa and Banbangida.
An unanimous military source informed that a decision was reached between the Yobe State Government and the JTF on the closure of the markets and the state government was to make the announcement.
