Explainer: What Happened In Dei-Dei, Abuja

On Wednesday, the 18th of May 2022, residents of Dei-Dei in Bwari Area Council were thrown into panic following violent clashes in the building material market. The incident degenerated into a bloody clash between Igbo traders and motorcyclists after a truck carrying domestic gas crushed a woman to death after she fell from a commercial motorbike.

What happened?

According to multiple sources, the clashes began when a woman was crushed to death by a truck after falling from a commercial motorcycle. This led to the burning of the motorbike, triggering a crisis where commercial bike riders began attacking shops and personal vehicles. 

According to an eyewitness, the clash broke out after Igbo traders set the motorcycle that conveyed the deceased woman on fire. This caused the Hausa/Fulani commercial bikers in the area to react, destroying shops, burning tires, and violently attacking traders and residents of Dei-Dei.

What are the implications?

Mohammed Bello, FCT Minister ordered the indefinite closure of Dei-Dei International Market on Wednesday(the 18th) following the clash. The minister gave the order after arriving at the scene of the incident and inspecting the carnage with FCT Commissioner of Police Sunday Babaji, Director of State Security Services, and other security agencies. 

Dahiru Mani, the Secretary of the Tomato and Onion Sellers Association Dei-Dei disclosed that four people were killed during the resulting crisis at Dei-Dei market. He pleaded with the minister to ensure that a police division with adequate personnel was provided in the market. 

Following the civil unrest in Dei-Dei, the FCT Police has stepped in, restoring normalcy to the town of Dei-Dei.