Following a clash between the traders and hoodlums in Alaba market in Lagos,the traders’ heads have closed the market until further notice.
Remember one person died while many other people injured following the clash between traders and hoodlums at the Alaba International Market in Alaba, Lagos State.
According to reports, the clash was believed to be a fight between the Alaba Market task force and hoodlums.
But in a statement officially released by market heads, it was revealed that the market has been closed until further notice while the traders states their demands.
Read details in the statement below
PRESS BRIEFING BY ALABA INTERNATIONAL AMALGAMATED TRADERS ASSOCIATION COUNCIL OF SECTIONAL HEADS THIS DAY 20TH OF OCTOBER, 2022. LAGOS STATE.
This press briefing is 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 (as they are recently called ) which have constituted pain and misery on the peaceful traders in Alaba International Market.
It is worthy of note 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 short change 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 a fully cleared container or a truck a 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 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 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 2022, 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 are doing their legitimate business to the extent that some were killed and several other wounded.
To this end we want to say enough is enough! We appeal to the Executive Governor of Lagos State His Excellency 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 have decided to shutdown the entire market till further notice to avoid further loss of lives and property, and will remain shut till:
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- This 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 point will be at Volkswagen Bus Stop ? and chemists Bus Stop.
- The Reduction in outrageous fees collected from containers, trucks and other vehicles.
Finally, we want to thank the Executives Chairman of Ojo Local Government, 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.
