Kuje traders groan under hardship after blasts

Some traders at the Kuje market in the Kuje area council of the federal capital teritorry, on Thursday decried low patronage occasioned by the recent bomb blasts in the area.

Some of the traders who spoke with NAN, described the situation as worrisome, saying most business activities have been crippled following the attack.

Security operatives have cordoned off the affected area at the front of the market and diverted movement before the market towards Gomo palace to AA-Rano filling station in the area.

Fidelix Emeka, a building materials seller, whose shop is close to the blast scene, said he has been shut out of business since the blast, making him suffer a loss of  about N2 million daily.

“All shops that are close to where the bomb went off at the front of the market have been closed down for now with order from police,” he said.

“Since the incident, I have been losing close to N2 million every day; I pray the experts finish investigation on time so that we resume business fully.

“The bomb blast is an evil act and I pray that God exposes them one-by-one so that we can have a peaceful environment.”

Hajara Suleiman, a wholesale dealer in wrappers, said she was finding it difficult to take care of her family as she has been losing close to N1 million every day since the blast.

“Business is no longer moving because customers are afraid to come to the market and by 5pm, everyone would have gone home. I can’t sell in the shop for now, I supply to customers through phone calls.

“I pray that the perpetrators are brought to book and the roads open so that we can resume our business activities fully.”

A motorist, John Obi, said the lockdown of shops and restriction of movement was for security reasons and the safety of residents pending when investigation was over.

He, however, appealed to security agencies to speed up their investigation so that normalcy could return in the area.

Meanwhile, Yunusa Isa, chairman, Kuje Market Traders Association, has appealed to traders whose shops have been locked to exercise patience.

Extending sympathies to the families of affected victims, Isa said the current situation at the market was in the interest of the traders.

“Some affected traders who were transferred to the National Hospital, lost their lives yesterday,” he said.

“I want to appeal to the traders whose shops have been locked down at the front of the market to be patient as investigation is ongoing.

“Security operatives are still carrying out investigation and once they are done, the shops and roads would be re-opened.

“I also want to appeal to the security operatives to carry out the investigation within the shortest period of time, so that traders can resume their business.”