The leader of ” Our Mumu Don Do” Movement, Charles Oputa, (Charlie Boy) on Tuesday morning escaped death narrowly when Pro-Buhari group allegedly attacked him and his “Resume or Resign” protesters at the Wuse Market Abuja.
Trouble allegedly started for the Anti-Buhari group when they allegedly took off from the Unity Fountain, their daily sit-out protest venue, and marched to the popular Wuse market in Abuja.
An eye witness who crave anonymity said Charlie Boy and his group were initially turned back at the main gate of the market on arrival, by the leader of the Market Task force, such move however was resisted by the Anti-Buhari group, and as argument ensued between them, some mobs suspected to be Pro-Buhari swooped on Charlie Boy and co-protesters.
The mobs who were said to be chanting “sai Baba, sai Baba” allegedly attacked Charlie Boy’s group with stones and sticks, saying that they have no right to bring their protest to the market.
A Co-Convener of “Resume or Resign” Movement, Deji Adeyanju, said that it was not true that the group went to the market to protest.
Adeyanju explained that some of the leaders of the group went to the market to see one of their coordinators who owns a shop in the market as at the time they were attacked by some hoodlums who were chanting sai Buhari.
“Yes our group was attacked by some hoodlums in the market, we only went there to see one of our coordinators and not for protest.
“Right now, some of our members were wounded and Charlie Boy’s BMW bike was damaged by the hoodlum” he said.
Also confirming the attack, another member of the Anti-Buhari group, said that this government is worse than that of Abacha, as Abacha did not kill over 1,000 shiites, or waste money by hiring crowd as Buhari is doing to support his 100 days absence from the country.
“Abacha did not waste money by sharing and hiring crowd, or by killing over 100 shiites” he said.
Another eye witness who simply identified himself as Oludare, and sustained some bruises on his face from the attack, said he escaped death also because he begged the mob and also told them that he was not part of them.
“That was my face about an hour ago. I was tagged anti-Buhari by hoodlums who would have probably stoned me to death if I had not pleaded to allow me identity myself as a Journalist.
“Charly Boy not only escaped lynching, he was very favoured to have left Wuse Market alive. I know this, my eyes were on him till he left after taking several stone hits.
As at the time of filing this report, the market had been shut with Police anti-riot truck stationed there.
Reacting, Innocent Amechina, Public Relation Officer, Abuja Market Management Ltd said that the market was shut to prevent damages.
“The market was shut down due to threat to life and properties following a group of people that entered the market to market their opinion and were resisted by a counter group which led to a clash. As a responsible facility manager, we nipped the crises in the bud” he said.
LAIDE AKINBOADE-ORIERE
