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Alaba Market Traders President Refutes Demolition Notice Claims
Traders at the renowned Alaba International market in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State are expressing their distress after several of their properties were unlawfully demolished.
The market, which is predominantly occupied by Igbo traders, has been facing a demolition crisis that has caused significant concern among the business community.
During a visit to the demolition site, Hon. Geofrey Udochukwu Mbonu, the President-General of Alaba Amalgamated Council of Sectional Heads, strongly refuted the claims made by officials from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) regarding prior warning notices.
Mbonu explained that the market’s leadership was not consulted or informed about any proposed demolition plans.
He further revealed that armed policemen accompanied the officials who arrived at the market on Friday, June 16th, 2023, without seeking a meeting with the market’s representatives.
Mbonu expressed sadness over the development,stating that the government took them unawares, carrying out the exercise unexpectedly, causing severe damage to traders.
He said “We are under a local government, where huge revenue is generated,we pay tax and what government did was to demolish our buildings alongside,the victims wares within the space of two days,”
According to Mbonu, the unfortunate chain of events began on Friday, June 16th, 2023, when officials from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LSSBCA) and armed policemen were observed within the market premises.
Subsequently, on Sunday, traders’ properties were demolished.
Highlighting some of the claims put forward by the government, Mbonu mentioned that certain structures were allegedly constructed on waterways, resulting in the obstruction of drainages and contributing to flooding, particularly during the rainy seasons.
He also emphasized that Lagos has historically been a swampy area, and the Igbo traders have always played a significant role in the development of the state.
Expressing their grievances, the traders clarified that they do not oppose the government’s fulfillment of its primary responsibilities.
However, they strongly criticize the manner in which the authorities have carried out the demolitions, without providing prior warning notices and lacking a humane approach to resolve the issue.
Mbonu further revealed that during each visit, the officials demanded authorization papers without issuing any notice of demolition.
He pointed out that buildings located near the canal, which had been identified as dilapidated and distressed, had been marked for demolition for several years.
However, the officials consistently requested paperwork on each visit. Mbonu questioned the destruction of new buildings that were not in proximity to the canal, including their secretariat and other recently constructed structures, which were also demolished by LASBCA.
He said “Authorization paper implies. If your building is in a very bad condition you will be told to break it. Lagos state is a swampy area, when they came last year, what they asked was paper.
“It was about two weeks ago they came with armed policemen to the market, I saw them,they didn’t contact the leadership of the market about demolition.
“This market is under the Local Government They only spoke about it on Friday, June 16th,2023. They didn’t give traders time to vacate the place. The demolition took place with our goods and documents destroyed.
“This is one of the biggest market in West Africa that should not be toiled with. Revenue generation in Alaba is enormous. The tiers of government is supposed to carry, Alaba traders along in their decision because they are Nigerians.
“I am the leader of one of the sections demolished by the government.My office is gone,our secretariat we build recently have been demolished. As traders we were not aware of the imminent demolition of certain structures in the market.” He added
Chief Camillus Amajuoyi, the President of Alaba International Market Association’s electronics section, expressed his surprise at the unexpected demolition.
He stated that not only were the authorities demolishing structures that were in good condition, but they were also destroying dilapidated ones in the process.
He said “The LASBCA issued a notice on Friday, June 16th, they came with armed policemen,So I made some calls I called Ojo Local Government Chairman to inform him of the development.
“I inquired if he was aware that properties are being destroyed in Alaba.The Ojo LG chairman said he was aware, he started that the properties that would be destroyed were the ones marked for years.
Amajuoyi expressed his shock and disbelief upon witnessing the extent of the ongoing demolitions. He recounted contacting the Local Government (LG) boss, who explained that the demolitions were being carried out as a preventive measure to avert potential disasters and protect lives.
The LG boss stated that he was also taken aback when his Chief Security Officer informed him about the demolition activities.
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and several legal practitioners on Monday escorted a Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, to the office of her Local Government Inspector (LGI) after she was summoned for a viral video criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Raye had gained widespread attention after posting a video on her TikTok account, #talktoraye, in which she lamented the country’s worsening economic crisis and blamed President Tinubu for the hardship faced by Nigerians.
She further described the president as a “terrible leader.”
READ ALSO: You Have No Right To Stop Me – Sowore Battles Police, EFCC At Court Entrance
In a subsequent video, Raye claimed that NYSC officials had begun to threaten her following her public outbursts.
She was then summoned to appear at the NYSC office in Eti-Osa, Lagos, for questioning on Monday.
However, Sowore, alongside legal practitioners including Festus Ogun, Yinka Oyesomi, and Justice Ojienoh, accompanied Raye to the NYSC office in a show of solidarity.
According to an update shared by Sowore on his official X handle, the NYSC officials failed to show up for the meeting.
“We arrived at the Eti-Osa LGI offices of the @officialnyscng with youth corper, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, in Lagos. She was scheduled to appear before the LGI today, and we escorted her to their offices with attorneys.
@mrfestusogun, @yinka_oyesomi, and @justiceojienoh, but the LGI official had absconded, failing to show up throughout our stay,” Sowore posted.
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the tragic death of Inspector Ajele Oloyede, who was on special duty at Goodwill Ceramic Company in Igbesa, Ado Odo-Ota Local Government Area.
In a statement on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, disclosed that the incident occurred on March 14, 2025, around 1:20 p.m.
Oloyede, who was attached to the 78 PMF, Zamfara State, was found dead from a gunshot wound under unclear circumstances.
READ ALSO: No More Sacking Of Unmarried Pregnant Policewomen – NPF
According to preliminary reports, another officer, Tolorunloju Stephen, attached to the Force Headquarters Annex in Lagos, recounted that he had just returned from Ikeja when he saw Inspector Oloyede resting his head on a table in the security office.
After exchanging pleasantries, Oloyede reportedly assured Stephen that he was fine.
Moments later, Stephen went to the restroom but was startled by the sound of a gunshot. He rushed back to find Oloyede lying in a pool of blood.
With the help of private security personnel, the injured officer was immediately transported to Ota General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by doctors.
The police confirmed that the firearm used in the incident has been recovered, and the body has been deposited for an autopsy.
Reacting to the incident, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, ordered a full-scale investigation to determine whether foul play was involved or if mental health issues contributed to the tragedy.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for further inquiry.
“The Nigeria Police Force expresses its deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, and loved ones of Inspector Ajele Oloyede. The command remains committed to the well-being of its officers and will ensure that all necessary support is provided during this difficult time,” Odutola stated.
Authorities assured the public that the findings of the investigation would be made known once concluded.
Nine surveyors abducted in the Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State have been released after their families paid a ransom of N20 million.
Recall that the victims were kidnapped a week ago while working at a site in Ilu-Abo.
Their captors initially demanded N100 million for their release.
However, following negotiations, market women intervened, pleading for a reduction to N50 million.
READ MORE: Ondo Market Women Block Governor’s Office Over Nine Abducted Surveyors
The kidnappers initially rejected the appeal before eventually settling for N20 million.
Confirming their release, Pastor Ajibade Owolanke, brother to the Ejemikin of Akure, High Chief Oluwole Omotayo, said: “The victims have joined their individual family members.”
It was gathered that after regaining their freedom, the surveyors were taken to different hospitals for medical examinations.
The abduction sparked widespread outrage in the state, prompting market women and youths in Akure to stage a protest.
The demonstrators urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and security agencies to take decisive action against the rising wave of kidnappings in the state.
Security authorities have yet to comment on any arrests related to the incident.
More to follow………..
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