Owode Market Traders Protest at Lagos Assembly Over Demolished Shops, Alleging Fatalities(Video)
Comrade Alex Omotehinse, President of the Center for Human and Socioeconomic Rights, led members of the Owode Market Traders Association to the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday, seeking redress over the demolition of their shops. The traders accused the local government chairman of orchestrating the act despite their claim that the land was originally allocated to them by the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, a former Lagos State governor.
The demonstration took a grim turn as the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the traders’ association alleged that two individuals lost their lives due to shock following the demolition. Reports suggest that some victims suffered heart attacks, while others sustained injuries in the ensuing chaos.
Carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, the traders pleaded with lawmakers to intervene and hold those responsible accountable. Addressing journalists, Comrade Omotehinse condemned the demolition, describing it as unjust and inhumane.
“This act has not only destroyed businesses but has also led to the loss of innocent lives. The government should be about protecting its citizens, not inflicting hardship on them,” he stated.
The traders, in their petition to the House of Assembly, urged lawmakers to investigate the demolition, provide compensation for affected shop owners, and take necessary steps to prevent such incidents in the future.
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Efforts to reach the local government chairman for comments were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. However, sources within the council claim the demolition was part of an urban renewal project aimed at restructuring the marketplace.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has yet to issue an official statement on the matter, but lawmakers are expected to review the traders’ petition in the coming days. Meanwhile, the affected traders have vowed to continue their fight for justice until their demands are met.
