By Funmilayo Adeyemi
TRADERS in Masaka Market of Nasarawa State on Thursday deserted their daily businesses as hoodlums barricaded the popular market.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who monitored situations in the area, reports that shops were under locks and keys as few vehicles and persons were seen moving around.
Speaking with some of the residents of the area, they said traders were prevented entry into the market for fear of violence as a result of the protest.
They explained that those that came out could not trade as such took their goods home.
Mrs Rose Sheriff told NAN that she came out to buy a phone charger but got disappointed to find out that shops were not opened for businesses.
“Today is the first day of the protest and we are facing this challenge. How do we buy petty stuffs for the family when no one is out to sell?
“This is a terrible situation and the government must try and do something quickly to arrest the situation so that this will not prolong,” she said.
Another resident, Mr Tochuckwu Martins, expressed his view that if the situation continued, it would escalate the already economy situation while also affecting the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“We are in a tense situation, the banks are not working, the small and medium scale enterprises are also not working, likewise those that live on daily income.
“This, if not handled well, will lead to more hunger, frustration and the economy will go into total comatose.
“I appeal to the Government to rise to the occasion by reaching compromise with the masses. We love our country and we don’t want any anarchy to take place,” he said.
Also, a road side mechanic, Abdulrasheed Isiaka, expressed worry over poor business experienced due to the ongoing protest.
Isiaka said that the poor masses living on daily income would get affected as commercial activities were put on hold. (NAN)
