Business activities came to a standstill Monday, as the metropolitan city of Jos, the Plateau state capital was besieged by security agencies blocking all routes leading to the terminus market.
Passengers, traders, civil servants and road commuters were left stranded spending several hours on the road due to traffic jam, which lasted till noon forcing business activities including banks to a standstill.
Last week, the government of Plateau State placed a ban on street hacking, trading and operation of motor parks around areas that have security threat as a result of the recent bomb blast at the Old JUTH and terminus market.
However, the confusion on Monday, some said was as a result of a bomb scare around Ahmadu Bello Way resulting to the prompt seizure of the area to safeguard lives and property.
As at the time the Eagle Online visited the area, some traders were seeing going back home while some in groups holding discussion and expressing anger while businesses have been closed down at the area for some time now.
Mr. Yakubu Dashi, a Trader at Ahmedu Bello way said,” It was a bomb scare early this morning that led to the military taking over the whole of Terminus for the fear of another bomb blast” ,
“We all came in this morning and saw security men everywhere stopping us from entering to our business places which was alleged that a bomb was planted at the early hours of the day and this brought business activities to a stand”.
But in another version, three bombs were defused near a dustbin inside the Terminus market that led to security intervention.
“When we asked the security why the entire market like this was close down they didn’t say anything or give us the full reason why but we all believe it was the last bomb blast that led government to prevent more casualty because it has never happened here before they have no reason for closing all the banks and shops belonging to them”.
He appealed to the state government to reopen the terminus market so that people can go about their businesses.
“Government should allow us to stay for sometime we are still making arrangement to go to Rukuba satellite market, We are suffering here, yesterday was weekend and all the money we have is finished ,I beg that those who own shops on the street or hawkers are left out suffering”.
Igbo traders leader in Jos Mr. Frank Uche expressed sadness, saying it is unfortunate government can do this if they same government will order that shops belonging to people be close down.
“We all came with our family members and found everywhere is Locked we have been staying at home for over 3 weeks now so we are asking government of plateau state to ensure that the state regain its loss glory”.
It would recall that Plateau state government ordered for the ban of all street trading, street marketing and hawking.
The government has also banned hence with all motor parks in the central business area of the Ahmadu Bello way, Murtala Mohammed way and the terminus area.
The state commissioner for information and communication, Barrister Mrs. Olivie Dazyem said the hard but imperative decision was taken following the last two weeks twin blasts and the subsequent threat in the areas
She said areas also affected by the ban include, tudun wadan (jishe), chobe, jenta, jenta, dilimi, Kugiya-Bukuru and rantya state low cost junction.
Those having shops in the affected areas have been directed to relocate to rukuba site light market in their own interest, even as she advised the public to desist from patronizing street markets, street traders and hawkers which become vulnerable flash point.
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