Ekiti drivers and Hausa traders’ crisis escalates; ...popular Erekesan Market being razed

The bloody clash between the drivers union and Hausa traders in Ado Ekiti on Friday escalated, with the popular Erekesan Market being razed by unknown arsonists.

The imposition of the dusk-to-dawn curfew on Ado Ekiti metropolis by Governor Ayodele Fayose notwithstanding, the arsonists gained entry into the market about 2am and set the Lagos line, where children's wares are sold, and other shops within the area ablaze.

The adjoining residential buildings at Odo Otu Area of Ado Ekiti , were also torched.

No fewer than 50 shops as well as two residential buildings were consumed along with goods worth several millions of Naira by the midnight fire.

It was learnt that men of the state fire services, who got wind of the arson made spirited efforts to put off the fire, but to no avail.

As a result of the development, both official and commercial activities that were gradually picking up before Friday’s incident went down again as virtually all major streets were deserted

Credit: Olakiitan Victor/ThisDay