At Marian Market in Calabar, fears of retaliation spread after a Hausa boy was allegedly killed by rate collectors.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when the collectors confronted the boy and his friends, who were collecting scrap metal.
The collectors demanded a payment of 100 naira, which the boys refused since they weren’t selling anything. The confrontation escalated into a fight, resulting in the boy’s death. Panic ensued, and the collectors fled.
Hausa kinsmen, armed, searched the market for the collectors, causing tension and prompting many to leave. Police were deployed to control the situation.
Despite complaints of misconduct against the collectors, including assaults and confiscation of goods, the state government’s ban on rate collection remains ignored.
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