By James Ogunnaike
Traders at the Mowe/Ofada market in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State have accused the state government of demolishing the market without giving them any notice, alleging that goods valued at over N500 million were destroyed in the exercise.
The affected traders claimed that the demolition was carried out around 2:00 a.m. on Friday, before they arrived at the market to commence the day’s business activities.
Speaking with journalists during an inspection of the demolished market, one of the affected traders, Mrs. Kabira Ajiboye, alleged that no official notification was issued to traders before the exercise.
According to her, officials of the State Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning had previously visited the market in 2023 with the intention of demolishing the structures, but suspended the exercise after traders informed them that they had paid their rents to the local government authority.
“There was no demolition notice whatsoever. In 2023, officials from the ministry came here during the local government election period, but when we explained that we paid our rents to the local government, they left without carrying out any demolition.
“This time around, they did not issue any notice. We arrived at our stalls this morning only to discover that everything had been demolished. Goods worth over N500 million have been destroyed.”
Ajiboye faulted the manner in which the demolition was carried out, saying the authorities failed to consider the welfare of hundreds of traders who depend on the market for their livelihoods.
“At the very least, they should have shown compassion while carrying out the exercise. They should have allowed us to remove our goods before demolishing our shops,” she said.
“This is a bad omen for a government seeking the support of the people. How can you whip people and still expect them to smile? We got here this morning and saw armed policemen stationed everywhere.”
She appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene by providing an alternative site where the displaced traders could continue their businesses.
Ajiboye further disclosed that many of the traders obtained loans to establish their businesses, lamenting that the demolition had left them devastated and uncertain about their means of livelihood.
When contacted, the Ogun State Commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning, Tunji Odunlami, declined to comment on the demolition allegedly carried out by officials of the ministry.
As of the time of filing this report, the Ogun State Government had yet to issue an official statement on the demolition.
The traders’ claims, including the allegation that no prior notice was served and that goods worth over N500 million were destroyed, could not be independently verified as of press time.
