There seems to be conflicting reports in the account of the reported uproar in Byazhin area of Kubwa, a settlement in the Federal Capital Territory.
The unrest follows Tuesday night purported killing of a woman by groups of scavengers otherwise known as baba bola.
While residents reported that three persons were killed, the police said no one died.
According to the story, the woman had resisted a scavenger otherwise known as baban bola from stealing from her house as her screaming attracted neighbours who quickly came to her rescue.
While the neighbours thought they had successfully waded off the intruder, he was said to have gone to mobilise more of his friends to launch an attacked on the woman with dagger and cutlass.
The news of the overnight attack and reported death of the woman sparked reactions leading to ensued confusion and pandemonium around the area.
The Byazhin Police, it was learnt contained the crisis Tuesday night but violence later broke out Wednesday morning leading to close of schools and businesses around the Byazhin area.
Mrs. Chioma Chukwu, an eyewitness, had told The Nation that the trouble began when a scavenger attempted to steal a woman’s pot of soup.
The woman alerted neighbours and passers-by, who overpowered and beat the scavenger.
The scavenger then left and returned around 8:00 pm on Tuesday with a group of youths armed with machetes and stones.
This act led to the killing of the woman whose pot of soup was earlier stolen.
It was learnt that during the attack, two others, a woman and a young boy who were passers-by were caught in the conflict and killed.
Findings revealed that they are yet to be identified.
Mrs Chukwu said: “They killed two people yesterday. The Community has been in chaos since yesterday. The crisis continued till this morning when they killed somebody again. So far, three persons have been killed and many injured. The Police intervened and restored normalcy, but no arrest was made. The Police have intensified their patrol in the Byazhin area of Kubwa to prevent them from regrouping”.
A resident in the community, who did not want his name mentioned also spoke about the incident but said he had no clue as to what may have started the crisis.
He said: “Yes, the riot started yesterday (Tuesday). And by this morning (Wednesday), we learnt that three persons have been killed. It happened in Byazhin around Millionaire’s Quarters, behind that Living Faith Church. That place is usually dangerous, because it is quite lonely, and you cannot pass through there alone, especially in the evening”, he said.
Schools and some public stores were under lock and key up till Wednesday afternoon as parents scampered to pick up their kids from schools around the area.
Residents of the area are still in shock over the incident.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh who confirmed the incident told our correspondent, that the police have calmed the situation.
He also said nobody died in the clash and that the only injured person is in an undisclosed hospital.
Igweh said: “Yes there was a serious situation but it has been brought under control. Nobody died. The only person that was injured is in the hospital receiving treatment.”.
