Traders and business owners at Alegongo Market in Akobo, Ibadan, Oyo State, were yesterday sent out of business, as the management of Lagelu Local Government Area demolished shops and other business.
REPORTERS AT LARGE gathered that traders at the market were still packing out goods from their shops, when the demolition of the pver 400 shops in market started earlier this week.
It was gathered that the demolition was on the orders of the council chairman, who had served a seven-day quit notice on the traders and shop owners. The ultimatum lapsed today.
Our correspondent also gathered, the demolition was carried out under the supervision of armed security operatives.
The affected shop owners had protested against the planned demolition exercise on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, traders had on Tuesday, protested at the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi Secretariat, to seek Governor Seyi Makinde’s intervention in the proposed demolition by the authority of Lagelu Local Government, to stop the demolition which according to them, might deprive them of their livelihood. set to take effect on Wednesday, April 9th.
The affected shop owners, who carried placards and banners, arrived at the secretariat in the afternoon. They pleaded with Governor Makinde, and o intervene and prevent their expulsion from the shops, which, according to them, might deprive them of their livelihood.
Inscriptions on some of the placards read: “Alegongo Market: Market traders are begging our dear governor to please have mercy on us”, “We the masses are begging you our father”, “We are begging, please come to our aid”, “Your Excellency, we are begging you, please don’t let them demolish our shops”, among others.
REPORTERS AT LARGE gathered that the government had earlier given an ultimatum to the affected traders and business owners, which lapsed yesterday, April 9.
