Traders at the Mowe/Ofada Market in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State have alleged that they lost goods worth over N500 million following the demolition of sections of the market by officials of the state’s Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning.
The affected traders accused the Ogun State Government of carrying out the demolition without prior warning, describing the exercise as insensitive, especially amid the country’s economic hardship.
A visit to the market revealed traders assessing the damage to their demolished stalls. While some appeared visibly distressed, others sat quietly beside the ruins of their shops, contemplating how to rebuild their businesses.
One of the traders, Mrs. Kabira Ajiboye, expressed frustration over the exercise, insisting that the government failed to officially notify traders before commencing the demolition.
She argued that authorities should have provided sufficient time for traders to evacuate their goods before the demolition, which began on Friday. According to her, such treatment was unfair for a government seeking public support ahead of future elections.
Ajiboye explained that many traders had secured loans to establish their businesses and said the demolition had left them uncertain about their means of livelihood.
“At the very least, they should have shown a human face, compassion while carrying out the exercise. They should have allowed us to remove our goods before demolishing our shops. 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,” Ajiboye said.
She also recalled a similar incident in 2023 when ministry officials visited the market during the local government election period but abandoned the planned demolition after traders informed them that they had paid their rents to the local council.
“There was no demolition notice whatsoever. In 2023, officials from the Ministry of Environment came here during the local government election period, but when we explained that we paid our rents to the local government, they left and did not carry 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,” she said.
Ajiboye appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene by providing an alternative location where the displaced traders could relocate and resume their businesses.
When contacted for a reaction, the Ogun State Commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning, Tpl. Tunji Odunlami, declined to comment on the matter.
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