Alaba market during the mayhem
Traders at Alaba international market in Ojo in Lagos are demanding investigation into what they called ‘unwarranted attack on them by hoodlums” over their refusal to submit themselves to further extortion by the hoodlums.
This is coming as the police command in Lagos state, says it has arrested five persons allegedly involved in the clash between traders and some miscreants, over ticket collection at the market.
The command’s spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest on Thursday.
Hundeyin also confirmed that only one dead body was recovered during the clash, stressing that the area was calm as more police operatives have been deployed to the place.
Violence erupted Wednesday when the traders resisted plans to establish illegal toll collection park inside the market.
One of the traders who spoke to Political Economist NG said some miscreants had been collecting money from the traders as they tried to move their wares in and out of the market.
The trader who identified himself as Emeka said this has been going on for a long time.
“These Agberos (miscreants) have been collecting money from us, they won’t let us bring in goods to the market after we have paid so much as the port. Now, they want to come into the market to start a park. We will not allow that. They are driving our customers away and killing our business,” he said.
Meanwhile, the traders have resolved to take the matter to the highest authorities for investigation.
