Market Union Releases Statement On How & Why Armed “Area Boys” Invaded The Market, Kill Traders

A fight broke out between touts popularly called “Agberos” and traders in one of the biggest markets in Lagos state leading to the death of one leaving many wounded.

The Market Union has released a statement regarding the reason behind the fight that happened at Lagos State’s well-known Alaba International market.

Read Below:

PRESS BRIEFING BY ALABA INTERNATIONAL AMALGAMATED TRADERS ASSOCIATION COUNCIL OF SECTIONAL HEADS THIS DAY 20TH OF OCTOBER 2022.

This press briefing is in consonance with the threat to the Security of lives and property in the 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 the 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. 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 we were greeted with chaos in our market as hoodlums that we cannot quantify trooped into the market with guns, machete, 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 has decided to shut down the entire market till further notice to avoid further loss of lives and property and will remain shut till:

1. These criminals are arrested and brought to justice.
2. The Removal of all kiosks / petty traders causing blockade along Alaba international market road.
3. That all toll collection points will be at the Volkswagen bus stop and chemists bus stop
4. The Reduction in outrageous fees collected from containers, trucks, and other vehicles.

Finally, we want to thank the executive 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 the Lagos state government, and God bless the federal republic of Nigeria.