Six suspects have been arrested by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command in connection with the killing of a man at Gosa Market, located along Abuja Airport Road.
The incident, which sparked chaos among shoppers, traders, and residents, followed the death of a man accused of stealing yam tubers at the market.
As a result, many people have avoided the market, which is known as one of the most affordable places to buy food in the FCT.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Adewale Ajao, disclosed this at a media briefing on Friday, July 4, 2025, saying police quickly responded to the situation to ease tensions and restore order.
“A young man was accused of stealing some tubers of yam at the market. Unfortunately, an individual took the law into his own hands, which led to the crisis. Following this, police moved swiftly to calm the situation,” the Commissioner said.
“Six suspects are currently in custody, and the police are treating the case as a clear instance of murder.”
Ajao added that police engaged community leaders and traditional rulers in discussions that helped to pacify the community.
“Immediately after the incident, we involved the community leader and the traditional ruler. We discussed the matter to understand what happened. They recognized the importance of peace,” he explained.
He also confirmed that by Thursday, Gosa Market had fully resumed operations under close police supervision.
“The market is open today, and activities are lively. Our officers are on site, ensuring the market operates safely,” Ajao said.
Additionally, the Commissioner used the briefing to warn against impersonation and unauthorized use of diplomatic or official vehicle number plates.
“We are coming after offenders, as such acts are often linked to criminal activities,” he warned.
He further condemned the use of tinted vehicle glasses without proper permits, pledging ongoing enforcement.
“We continue to arrest offenders. Concealing your identity like this makes no sense,” he concluded.
