A devastating incident unfolded at the Abaji main market in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Friday when a businesswoman, identified as Rukaiyyat, collapsed after losing N2.3 million in cash. Rukaiyyat, a petty trader from Auchi, Edo State, had come to the market to purchase farm produce when she realized that the large sum of money she brought with her had mysteriously disappeared.
According to an eyewitness account, the unfortunate event occurred as Rukaiyyat was measuring melons and groundnuts into sacks, preparing to pay the traders. “She was about to pay when she suddenly noticed that the money in her bag was gone,” the eyewitness recounted, expressing the shock and concern felt by those present at the scene.
The eyewitness added that Rukaiyyat had placed the N2.3 million, which she had borrowed to expand her business, inside a sack. As she busied herself with measuring the farm produce, the sack containing the money vanished without a trace. “She kept the money inside the sack, but as she was measuring the produce, the sack disappeared,” he said.
Overwhelmed with grief and panic, the woman began to cry out, explaining that she had borrowed the money from her hometown in Edo State to invest in farm produce, hoping to turn a profit and grow her business. Her cries attracted the attention of other traders and shoppers in the market, who rushed to her aid. Several traders tried to resuscitate her as she slumped under the weight of the loss, visibly distressed by the shocking disappearance of such a substantial sum.
However, the drama did not end there. As other traders gathered around to console Rukaiyyat, another woman in the crowd suddenly burst into tears. Upon investigating her own belongings, she realized that her sack, which contained half a bag of maize, had also gone missing during the commotion. The market, which had been bustling with activity, quickly descended into confusion as traders scrambled to secure their own goods and assist the distressed women.
The loss of the N2.3 million, which Rukaiyyat had hoped would be a lifeline for her business, was met with widespread sympathy from traders and onlookers. Many expressed concerns over the increasing number of thefts in the market and the growing insecurity that is affecting both buyers and sellers. Some traders described the incident as a stark reminder of the risks involved in carrying large sums of cash in crowded and busy places like the Abaji market, where petty thefts and pickpocketing have become more frequent.
“This is a tragic situation,” one trader said. “People come here to work hard and make an honest living, but we now have to worry about thieves who target vulnerable businesspeople. Losing such a large amount of money is a devastating blow.”
While the exact circumstances surrounding the theft remain unclear, market authorities are investigating the incident in hopes of identifying those responsible for the disappearance of both the money and the sack of maize. Traders at the market have urged the police and market officials to step up security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, warning that such occurrences could scare customers away and negatively impact businesses.
As the situation unfolded, market officials called on traders to exercise caution and to report any suspicious activities. Meanwhile, Rukaiyyat’s situation serves as a cautionary tale for others, highlighting the importance of safeguarding one’s belongings in public spaces. It also underscores the vulnerability of small business owners who often operate with little to no financial safety net, meaning a single theft can cause devastating losses.
The broader market community has shown support for Rukaiyyat, with some traders offering assistance and others calling for a collective effort to raise funds to help her recover from the massive loss.
