Oyingbo Shut Down As Traders Protest Closure Of Market
Many road users in Lagos Mainland on Wednesday, experienced traffic gridlock which lasted for hours following a peaceful protest staged by traders of the popular Oyingbo Ultra Modern Market, Ebute Metta, Lagos State.
They were protesting two weeks closure of the market by market authorities in the state.
It is one of the oldest markets in Lagos which was transformed into an ultra modern market by former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola.
Many road users were stranded for hours as Oyingbo and its environ were shut down by the traders’ protest.
Traffic gridlock stretched from Lagos Mainland to Idumota, Iddo, Idumagbo, Yaba, Ijora and Otto to mention but a few as many road users were denied access to various locations.
Many passengers disembarked from various vehicles and resorted to trekking.
The protests which started in the morning lasted till about 1.30pm with the traders carrying various placards.
The protesting traders took to the streets and major roads in procession, carrying placards with different inscriptions that read, “we want our market, Mainland Local Government, hear our cry.”
Some of them said the market was shut under the instruction of the Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo who allegedly demanded the sum of N5m before reopening.
She was said to have locked the gate to the plaza following complaints of traders displaying wares in an untidy environment.
Some of the placard read, “we have children and we have house rent to settle. We refuse to be miscreants.”
The protesters were later addressed by a representative of Lagos Mainland Local Government, Jubril Emilagba who said their grievances will be looked into.
A protester, Bisi Moboluwaji said she lost perishable items worth Millions of Naira within the two weeks. She said, “I travelled to the village when I heard that the market was locked and was unable to salvage my wears. I deal on perishable items which have all perished within the closure period, ” she said.
Some of the traders alleged that they forcefully entered the premises on Tuesday night only to discover that most of their wares items have perushed.
While the protest lasted, a team of Policemen from Denton led by the Divisional Police Officer was on ground.