ABEOKUTA– Traders at the Brewery Market in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday staged a protest over an alleged attempt by suspected landgrabbers to forcefully seize their market land.
The aggrieved traders turned out in large numbers with placards, bearing different inscriptions.
Speaking to journalists at the protest ground, the leader of the market, Mr. Oluwadamilola Solanke explained that the crisis occurred on Saturday, when suspected thugs, armed with cutlasses, axes and fire arm, stormed the market to forcefully eject traders.
Solanke revealed that the act has affected the livelihoods of about 600 traders who rely on the market for survival.
“This land is part of the Federal Government’s step-back, and we have the documents to show it was approved for market use.
“Now, our shops are destroyed, and we are homeless under the scorching sun”, he aaid
Solanke who said the market traders includes widows, single mothers, and other vulnerable, however called on the Federal Ministries of Environment and Works as well as the local government to come to their aid.
He further appealed to the state Governor, Dapo Abiodun to come to their rescue, adding that, “Even this morning, some traders were chased away again by men who returned in a Hilux vehicle with weapons.
“We are begging the state government to have mercy and intervene before things get out of hand”.
Also speaking during the protest, a widow and trader, Mrs Sherifat Odunfa, appealed to the government for intervention, stressing that the attack was not from the government, but from a local warlord.
“It is not the government troubling us, it is the Ajagun Gbalè of Kemta who is making life difficult. We are pleading, I am a widow, I have nowhere else to go.”
Odunfa added that even commercial motorcyclists and drivers who once operated in the area have fled due to the threat of violence.
“We are begging the government and the authorities to show us mercy. We are only trying to survive,” she pleaded.
