ALABA MARKET SHUT INDEFINITELY OVER VIOLENT CLASH BETWEEN TRADERS AND AREA BOYS
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BY DAMI .L
The Alaba International Market Lagos has been shut down indefinitely following the bloody clash between the traders and area boys on Wednesday, which left many injured and some feared dead over collection of illegal tolls imposed on the traders.
According to reports, it was the decision of the traders association under the support of Alaba Market International Amalgamated Traders Association of Council of Sectional Heads.
Due to the incident, the market was closed to avoid further breakdown of law and order and to avoid having more losses as the number of causalities was yet to be ascertained by the Police.
meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that peace has been restored in the area but the traders insisted that the market will remain closed until those issues, which caused the chaos have been addressed by the State Government.
In the press briefing held on 20th, it stated as follows: “In consonance with the threat to security of lives and property in Alaba International Market occasioned by the activities of the RTEAN or Park Administration, which had constituted pain and misery on the peaceful traders in Alaba International Market.”
“It is worthy to be known that this market contributes a sizable amount of revenue to the Federal and State coffers through their unquantifiable international and local trade. It will therefore, be unwise to allow non state actors like the operators of RTEAN/ Park Administration to shortchange this national and state asset, which houses several thousands of big, medium and small businesses. Suffice it to also mention that traders are now vacating the market in droves as the complete blockage of the only Alaba Road and the extreme extortion going on especially between Volkswagen Bus Stop and Alaba Market is becoming so unbearable as traders are made to pay for a fully cleared container or a truck the whooping sum of N70,000 to N100,000 before they can be allowed to convey their goods to the market; it is the same for those supplying goods from their warehouses.”
“For traders, who cannot afford or who hesitate to pay, they are either beaten up or wounded. Sadly enough, only yesterday we woke up to the information that a new loading point was to be instituted on the already constricted Alaba Road, which has already been taken over by petty traders, who were given portions to display wares to the detriment of existing shop owners, also completely defacing this market of international repute.”
“To ensure this issue was handled amicably, the Alaba Amalgamated leaders quickly contacted the Executive Chairman of Ojo Local Government area, who promised to call them to order. We also contacted the Interim Caretaker Committee Chairman, who also promised to call them to order. But surprisingly on Tuesday the 19th of October, we were greeted with chaos in our market as hoodlums that we cannot quantify trooped into the market with guns, machetes and other dangerous weapons; shooting and maiming both buyers and traders who were doing their legitimate business to the extent that some were killed and several others wounded.”
“To this end, we want to say enough is enough! We appeal to the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, to intervene in this matter before it degenerates into a serious security issue – God forbid. The Alaba International Market Traders Association has decided to shut down the entire market till further notice to avoid further loss of lives and property, and will remain shut till:
- These criminals are arrested and brought to justice.
- The removal of all kiosk/petty traders causing blockade along Alaba International Market Road.
- That all toll collection points will be at Volkswagen Bus Stop and Chemist Bus Stop.
- The reduction of outrageous fees collected from containers, trucks and other vehicles.
“Finally, we want to thank the Executive Chairman of Ojo Local Government area. We want to thank the security personnel who responded swiftly to curtail this unfortunate carnage in our market. Thank you all.
God bless Lagos State Government!
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!”
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