In a distressing incident at Abuja’s Utako Market on February 5, 2025, a trader named Ifeanyi Chukwu lost his life following a confrontation with fellow trader Onu Simeon. Both individuals were engaged in the sale of men’s underwear within the market.
Dispute Over Market Space
The altercation reportedly stemmed from a disagreement over the demarcation of their respective selling spaces. Eyewitnesses recounted that the two traders had a history of disputes, primarily concerning the boundaries of their stalls. On the morning of the incident, tensions escalated, leading to a physical confrontation.
Eyewitness Accounts
Dr. Uche Nworah, an eyewitness present during the incident, shared his observations: “I called at Utako Market Abuja this morning to sort out my phone screen guard and a fight suddenly broke out between two Igbo brothers (Ifeanyi and Eze) who sell underwear. No one knows exactly what led to the fight. Blows were exchanged and Ifeanyi suddenly slumped and died. Eze himself has been taken to the market police station. Terrible thing anger in this challenging economic time.”
Another trader, who wished to remain anonymous, mentioned that efforts were made to resuscitate Ifeanyi: “I was not around. But when I returned, I was told some people fought, someone fell and they poured water to revive him. When they could not revive him, they took him to the hospital, and they said he was dead.”
Police Intervention and Investigation
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command responded promptly to the incident. Upon arrival, officers found Ifeanyi Chukwu unconscious and immediately transported him to the NNPC Hospital in Utako, where he was pronounced dead by medical personnel. Preliminary investigations revealed that the dispute was over the space allocated for displaying goods. The suspect, Onu Simeon, has been taken into custody as investigations continue.
Market Leadership’s Response
Isa Adamu Goma, Chairman of the Dynamic GSM Association at Utako Market, expressed his dismay over the incident. He noted that the altercation arose from arguments about the demarcation between the two traders’ shops. Goma emphasized the need for peaceful coexistence among traders and urged them to resolve disputes amicably to prevent such tragic occurrences in the future.
Call for Peaceful Conflict Resolution
In light of this tragic event, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, has called upon residents to adopt peaceful means of resolving disputes. He highlighted that violence often leads to unforeseen and tragic consequences and reassured the public of the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order in the FCT.
Conclusion
The unfortunate death of Ifeanyi Chukwu underscores the critical importance of effective conflict resolution mechanisms within marketplaces. As economic pressures mount, it’s essential for traders and community members to prioritize dialogue and mediation over confrontation. This incident serves as a somber reminder of the potential consequences of unresolved disputes and the need for collective efforts to foster a peaceful and cooperative environment in commercial hubs like Utako Market.
