The restive city of Jos yesterday witnessed another round of tension as rumour of fresh attack was peddled, while the residents panicked. Business activities were paralysed for hours.
When The Nation visited the city centre between 8.30a.m. and 11a.m., most business premises were still under lock and key, while the few traders who opened their shops were skeptical about displaying their wares.
Almost all the banks along the Ahmadu Bello Way partially opened for transactions. Few vehicles were parked on the premises of the banks, an unusual situation indicating that employees were yet to resume duties.
At 2.30:p.m., the city centre was still deserted as few banks which opened partially for business had closed. Traders at the Rwang Pam Street axis of the town failed to display their wares, while the usual traffic jam witnessed every Friday on the major streets of Jos was absent due to the presence of few vehicles.
A food vendor, Mrs. Caroline Osakwe, said: “There is a rumour that the town will boil today. As you can see, the Hausa have boycotted business and I cannot say why. Initially, I was scared of coming out, but I had already cooked my food, so I had to come and sell. In spite of that, one has to be careful and watch what is happening. If the town is not conducive to business, I will go home.”
Another resident, Mr. Alphonsus Abarak, said: “Some people wanted to shut down the economy of the town by refusing to go to their business premises. It partially succeeded at Terminus, not because those who boycotted business are more in number, but because some people feared that there might be an attack. Hence, they did not open their shops.
“However, in Dadin Kowa, people went about their businesses to the surprise of those who tried to cripple the city’s economy.”