By Desmond Kertyo, Anyiin 

A disturbing allegation from Zaki-Biam Market in Benue State has left traders talking, after a young man claimed he was beaten by a market official over a dispute involving a groundnut deal. The trader says what started as a simple business arrangement quickly escalated into violence and loss. Authorities are yet to respond to the claims.

What was meant to be a small business transaction has now turned into a controversy in Zaki-Biam Market, Benue State, following allegations by a young trader from Borikyo.

The trader alleged that trouble began when a woman brought in a 25kg bag of groundnuts, which he described as being of poor quality, and asked for help selling it so she could raise money for another purchase.

Trying to make something work, he said he used his own money to buy another 25kg of better-quality groundnuts, mixing both in hopes of attracting buyers and avoiding a loss.

But after days turned into weeks without a sale, the woman reportedly returned and demanded her goods back. According to the trader, he asked for either repayment or a share of the produce to recover his money, but she refused.

The situation, he said, escalated when a civil protection guard, allegedly her boyfriend, got involved and took the matter to the market leadership.

The trader claimed that when he was summoned by the market director, things took a violent turn. He alleged he was beaten on the grounds that he had challenged authority, despite pleas from fellow traders who tried to intervene.

He further alleged that after the incident, he was asked to pay ₦10,000 as bail before being released, while the groundnuts at the centre of the dispute were taken without any form of compensation.

At the moment, these are allegations from the trader, and no official response has been obtained from the market authorities or other parties mentioned.