For fear of the unknown, most traders at the Nyanya market in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, on Thursday, stayed away as protesters and security agencies clashed in the neighbouring Mararaba area of Nasarawa State.

Similarly, banks and other shopping outlets by the roadside were under lock and key as the traders were hanging around to observe the situation

Our correspondent who monitored the protest in the area observed Okada riders and youths gathered on the bridge linking Nyanya with Jikwoi, Kurudu and other areas in Nasarawa State shouting “Nigerians are suffering”, “hunger dey this land o”

Inside the Nyanya market, very few traders were seen as many of them deserted the ever-busy business area.

A butcher, who simply gave himself as Salihu told our correspondent that they were not part of the protest but were afraid of being attacked by the rampaging protesters coming from the neighbouring Nasarawa State.

“We are all suffering but we don’t want to add to the hardship that’s why we didn’t join the protest. Now, we hear the police and soldiers are fighting with the protesters. So, everybody is afraid to open shop because one could be attacked”

Another market woman selling fish said she decided to come out because her fish would spoil if she didn’t sell. “Even though most of our people are afraid to open, I came out because this fish will spoil by tomorrow if I don’t sell it today.

“I want the protesters to allow us to sell. But I support the protest maybe be government will listen to them to reduce the cost of things in the market”, she stated.

As at 1.30 pm, the protesters were still pushing their way into Nyanya from the Mobile Police Junction on the border with Mararaba in Nasarawa.