Traders operating under the Agbajowo Dealers and Artisans Market Association in the Owode Onirin area of Lagos State have raised the alarm over threats by suspected land grabbers to take over their market.
The traders, who claimed to have legitimate documents allocating the land to them, also called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State House of Assembly to intervene and safeguard their livelihoods.
Speaking to TheNigerian Metro on Saturday, the Chairman, Thaddeus Idaewor, alleged that there plans to demolish the market and chase the traders away despite the association’s possession of documents issued by the state government.
Idaewor noted that the market, which is divided into five zones dealing with sales of motor parts, aluminum, metal scraps, tyres and others, has been in operation for years, adding that the traders also paid their taxes and dues up-to-date.
He said, “We have gathered here to address a pressing issue that threatens the livelihoods of over 5,000 market men and women. We are facing a serious challenge from suspected land grabbers who are threatening to take over our market. These individuals are claiming ownership of the land, despite our legitimate documents allocating the site to us by the state government.
“We have been operating here for years, paying our taxes and dues up to date to the state government. Yet, they are trying to chase us away and take possession of the land illegally.
“That is why we are calling on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, and other government officials to come to our aid. We urge them to intervene in this matter and safeguard our rights to operate our businesses in this market.”
Idaewor also revealed it was not the first time the traders had faced threats of eviction.
According to him, some thugs accompanied by the task force attempted to demolish the market in September but were stopped by the intervention of a member of the House of Representatives, Femi Saheed.
“We are calling on President (Bola) Tinubu also to intervene in our case. He knows this market. Look at where we are sourcing our income from, they should not allow some people to come and put fire in our market,” he begged.
A member of the Elders Council in the market, Moshood Tijani, recalled that it was a former Military Administrator, Adekunle Lawal, who ensured the relocation of the market to the place.
“Everyone in the market is law-abiding. We are paying our taxes and dues up to date to the state government.
“We are still hearing the rumour that these people are coming after last September’s plan. That’s why we are calling for the government’s intervention,” he added.
