The ever busy and popular Meat Market in Abakaliki was chaotic this evening, just about 30 minutes ago. Fulanis in Abakaliki brandished machetes threatening people, and causing everyone in town to panic and run for safety. They went as far as threatening some armed policemen with their weapons. The situation can best be described as chaotic.
It all started this afternoon around 4.30pm. After the Ramadan, Fulanis usually have a festival where their young men take wives. During the festival, the Fulanis usually strike each other with the knives and show to everyone that with some charms, the machetes cannot penetrate their skin.
Many of them were drinking heavily at Ogbe Hausa, the part of town where almost all northerners stay, close to Meat Market. This festival occurs every year. They always drink heavily. They always brandish their machetes, but never outside Ogbe Hausa.
Heavily intoxicated, many of them left Ogbe Hausa with their weapons threatening many who had stalls in the market. It was utter panic as people scampered in all directions. Traders locked their stalls.
When the traders realised what was going on, they began chasing the men with the machetes. Some called the police who were swift to respond. They joined the chase. They had to shoot in the air at first to disperse them before they understood what was going on and joined the chase.
The police reportedly shot one of them. He is feared dead. Another has a deep gash on his head with a lot of blood coming out.
At least 7 of the Fulani men have been arrested.
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