From Rose Ejembi Makurdi

Piqued by the uproar at the Makurdi Modern Market, in Makurdi, the Benue State capital on Friday afternoon, Governor Samuel Ortom has asked security agencies to go after the perpetrators of the act.

It would be recalled that there was pandemonium at the market following a rumoured uproar which reportedly started around the village market adjourning the main Market.

The development was said to have caused traders at the market to quickly close their shops for fear of break down of law and order while people ran helter skelter for safety.

It was gathered that the rumour was hinged on recent attacks across the state in which many people had been reportedly killed and others injured or abducted.

The news was later discovered to be false even as security agencies promptly moved into the market to restore normalcy.

A trader who did not want to be named told our correspondent that many people ran away leaving their wares behind when the rumour broke out, adding that it took the quick intervention of the police to avert looting of people’s wares by hoodlums.

Reacting in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Terver Akase, the Governor strongly condemned the incidence which reportedly witnessed attack on some traders.

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“Governor Samuel Ortom condemns in strong terms, the incident at Modern Market, Makurdi yesterday when some youths stormed the market to harass traders they identified as Muslims.

“The Governor says no one has a right to prevent others from worshipping where it pleases them.

“He charges security agencies to fish out the culprits and apprehend them for prosecution.

“Governor Ortom further warns the youths to avoid acts capable of creating tension as anyone found fomenting trouble will be brought to justice,” the statement concluded.

At the time of this report, normalcy had already returned to the market as all traders have opened their shops for their daily commercial activities.