Plateau : Crisis Looms As JMDB Invades Kongole Phone Market In Bukuru, Destroyed And Loot Items

By: Labaran Ahmed

Another unimaginable crisis may just be on it way into Bukuru in Jos South Local Government of Plateau State if urgent steps is not taken by the State q Government led by Barrister Caleb Mutfwang.

As the Government agency under the auspices of Jos metropolitan  Development Board (JMDB), invaded (Kongole market) known for the sale of hand set (GSM), located in Bukuru, Jos South Local Government of the State.

The youths started throwing stones at the JMDB, it took the intervention of the community leaders to chase the youths away.

 

This is revealed by our reporter who is privy of the happening in community, as he narrated to this medium that  the affected traders where taking aback when at about 3 pm Nigeria time, some persons who identify as Government agency from Jos Metropolitan Development Board JMDB stormed the market. 

According to those who speak to this medium on conditions of anonymity explained that few days back the same groups of persons were at the market with the instructions that traders who  are on walk way  should vacate the place and  remove their goods from it which they obeyed without any resistance.

The people who spoke to this medium described what happened to the Bukuru traders of Jos South Local Government to say the least is a black Eid-EL-Kabir celebration as today 16th June  2024 is  declared  public holiday by the Federal  government to mark Sallah but the government agency invaded their business premises without any notice  destroyed their show glasses which they use for showcase their wares . 

They lamented that the action is contrary to the agreement they had with the government, as they narrated that few days ago,  they where in the market, met with the chairman of the market and asked him to inform his members to give way from the areas they described as government designated area. 

However stressed that today 16th June 2024 when the people who are mostly Muslims were observing Sallah celebration a day declared by the Federal Government as public holiday to commemorate the celebration of 2024 Eid-EL-Kabir, the government agency, Jos Metropolitan Development Board JMDB, saddled with the responsibility of decongesting the city center, demolishing illegal structures and shops invaded the market when the business owners where in celebration mood of Eid -El-Kabir break their show glasses used in showcasing their goods. 

As at the time of filing this report yesterday, there is serious panic in Bukuru in Jos South Local Government of the State, people expressing displeasure over the disappointed incidents from the government agency, JMDB.

Speaking to (Maga Takardan Bukuru, who is the former youth leader of the affected community, Mal. Isa Abubakar, said he is not happy with the turn of events, said he had phoned the police in the area if they are aware of the resent development in the market they said they where not aware. 

The JMDB officials were said have gone berserk as is reported they move around the  Bukuru Metropolis breaking any thing they come  across.

When this medium sort to find out the rationale behind  their actions which informed beating and destroying properties of innocent people, he said he did not know the reason. 

They however called on Governor Caleb Mutfwang to intervene in the matter without wasting of time to avoid the looming crisis waiting  to explode in the community.

Speaking to the press, the Public Relations Officer (PRO), of the  Kongole Bukuru Market, Nasiru Lawan who spoke  on behalf of his Chairman, Habib Nasiru said.

 

"They gave us notice to leave the walk way we obediently obeyed, questioned  while are they breaking into our stores which is hitherto under lock and key."

The market spokes person further revealed that the affected traders whose where destroyed have vowed not agreed on the unwarranted injustice meted on them for just no reasons. 

He further revealed that the action of Jos Metropolitan Development Board go contrary to the agreement earlier held with the authorities of the market.

On his part, the Mai Anguwa, Dan Lami, described the agency of the government (JMDB) as renegade on the agreement made with the traders.

Stressed that his concern is JMDB is deliberately trying to cause unnecessary problem in the community because their actions did not fall within their jurisdiction for them to have enter the town causing panic is nothing but obvious lawlessness which is unacceptable in this 21st century.

For fear of breakdown of law and other in the affected community, the Mai Anguwa of the area, Dan Lami has staged peaceful protest along side with the Market leaders to register their discontent who claim he was not aware of the exercise pleaded with them to calm down.