A violent confrontation erupted at Marian Market in Calabar on Wednesday, resulting in the death of a Hausa boy at the hands of rate-collecting agents. The incident sparked outrage and fear, leading to a tense standoff on Thursday as armed Hausa youths stormed the market seeking revenge.
According to eyewitness accounts, the confrontation occurred when the agents attempted to collect a fee of N100 from the boy and his friends, who were transporting rusted iron scraps in a wheelbarrow. The boys refused to pay, explaining they were not hawking goods but merely passing through the market. The agents insisted, leading to a physical altercation that ended in the boy’s fatal strike.
The market women who witnessed the event described the chaotic scene, with the agents fleeing and the deceased’s body later retrieved by his colleagues for burial. The incident has reignited long-simmering tensions between traders and rate collectors, who have been accused of misconduct, including assaults on women traders and confiscation of goods.
On Thursday, the situation remained volatile as Hausa youths, armed with weapons, searched for the rate collectors responsible for their colleague’s death. Many traders and bus drivers fled the area, fearing reprisal attacks. The police deployed a significant number of officers to manage the situation, but their spokesperson, Irene Ugbo, claimed she was unaware of the incident and promised to investigate.
The state government had previously banned rate collection due to numerous complaints, but the agents have continued to operate with impunity. The incident highlights the ongoing struggle for control and the escalating violence in Calabar markets.