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.