Thousands of traders at the Owode-Onirin Motor Spare Parts market in Lagos State stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday to protest against the illegal invasion and unlawful demolition of over 500 shops at the market.
The traders, carrying placards with various inscriptions, called on the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to intervene and instruct the chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Hon. Dele Osinowo, and officials of the State Building Control Agency to halt actions that threaten the livelihoods of thousands of families.
The Chairman of the Association, Comrade Abiodun Hammed, alleged complicity between the State Building Control Agency and the council agency in the demolition exercise.
He disclosed that the market serves as a vital hub, ensuring access to spare parts for countless families and providing livelihoods for numerous traders.
He said: “We are calling for a thorough and full investigation to be conducted to identify and prosecute those responsible for the illegal demolition of Owode-Onirin motor spare marketers.”
One of the traders, Elder Samuel Oluwole, stated that traders in the market are law-abiding citizens who pay their taxes promptly.
He said: “We are taxpayers. We remit our taxes as and when due. The entire shops were demolished, including worship centres. We are begging the Lagos State Government to come to our rescue and save us from intimidation and persecution.
“The demolition has been lingering for so many years, which traders have been averting. In 1979, the then Governor of the State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, relocated traders from Jankara market, and since then, we have been trading here peacefully and legitimately. But it came to us as a surprise that our leaders are among those behind our ordeals.
“We didn’t vote for the APC to ruin our trade and businesses. We are now being persecuted by security agents who are supposed to be protecting us. Our chairman was attacked, macheted, and banned by the police from entering the market until the matter is resolved. This shouldn’t be. We are appealing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene and stop this wicked act of demolition of our shops.”
Rights Advocate and President of the Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR), Alex Omotehinse, described the demolition as an illegal and wicked act targeted at impoverishing already burdened traders in the market.
Omotehinse condemned the brazen act of demolition and land grabbing, alleging that it was supervised and monitored by state agents.
He noted that it violates the fundamental rights of legitimate landowners and poses a significant threat to the economic stability of the state.
He said: “Over the years, traders in the market have been law-abiding, comporting themselves in an orderly manner, and have been operating and carrying out their businesses lawfully. On Thursday, 6th March 2025, men and officers of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, along with armed policemen and thugs armed with various dangerous weapons, invaded the market with the aim of enforcing a certain court judgment against a section of the market—the Agbajowo market—that shares a common boundary with the Owode-Onirin Motor Spare Parts market.
“This market belongs to the Lagos State Government and not an individual. There is no court injunction, nor do we have any court case with any family or individuals. When officials of LABSCA invaded the market with excavators, they beat us and began to demolish our shops. They did this without any form of notice to us. There was no prior notice to quit or evacuate our wares. We are appealing to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to come to our aid and stop the destruction.”
Addressing the protesters, Engr Adebola Shabi, representing Lagos Mainland Constituency II, commended the protesters for the peaceful conduct of their demonstration.
He stated that the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa, and other members of the House empathise with their plight and would address their concerns accordingly.
He said: “This is your House. I can assure you, you are going to get justice. We believe in justice. The House will invite all the stakeholders. We will investigate and get back to you. We will give this an accelerated hearing.”
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