Bulldozers roar and Oshodi traders mourn

Lagos State Task Force demolishes electronics market

IT was like a scene from a Nollywood movie, when bulldozers, like a thief in the night, swooped on popular Oshodi market before dawn and razed down the electrical/electronics section of the market.

Lagosians, residents and early callers to offices on the Island alike all woke up to see a hail of unusual dust at Oshodi, as the Lagos State Task Force on Monitoring and Enforcement Unit got busy in their task of leveling the market located strategically by the roadside to Ground Zero.

The exercise, which started around 5.00a.m. brought to an end the doubts of some of the traders that the state government would be pussyfooting about demolishing the multi-million naira market.

The environment was cordoned off by combined team of stern-looking members policemen and officials of the War Against Indiscipline (WAI), who stormed the scene in mufti and immediately demarcated the area with red and white tapes, while caterpillars ruthlessly brought down the stalls and any structure in sight.

The enforcement team were battle ready, even with Black Maria vans to lock up anyone who tried to foment any trouble, cross the demarcated line, or distract them from carrying out the sacred “instructions from above.”

A large number of passers-by and sympathizers, who were still absorbing the movie-like scene with some disbelief gathered on top of the pedestrian bridge and adjoining roads nearby, watching with amazement as the exercise continued. And for those who enjoyed the sight, they stood for hours as the pre-dawn darkness gave way to the rising sun. The demolition continued until noon.

Tongues wagged loudly of bystanders wondering whether the traders were duly warned of this New Year ‘Change’ package from the governor and if they were allowed to salvage their wares before the bulldozers began to roar.

According to one of the traders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the traders were served notice about two months ago and warned of the impending demolition. “We were served a notice about two months ago but some ‘officers’ in the market told the traders that they would take the matter up with government.

“Since then, a lot of warnings had been coming and fears continued to grip the traders while the officers kept on allaying their fears. Perhaps, a few of us who would not take the government for granted removed our wares.

“I personally became very apprehensive when on December 31, 2015, we sighted some caterpillars. I have every cause to thank God because He moved me immediately to action as I made sure I removed all my wares and did not get to church for watch night service until after 12.00a.m. I pity my fellow traders because some people were unable to take a pin out,” he said.

Another man, who would not disclose his identity also sympathised with the traders and wondered how they would be able to pick the pieces of their lives again. “I am here to buy something and was surprised to see this. People should start to take the government very seriously whenever they issue a warning.

“This land is owned by the government or the Local Council and if they ask traders to vacate their land, I wonder why people refused to take them serious. It is very unfortunate because there is no way they can claim back their losses from the government after all, they had been warned,” he said.

The head of the police team, Mr. A. A. Taiwo declined to speak with The Guardian, adding that every question should be directed to the Ministry of the Environment.

Meanwhile, the government had on Tuesday shut the Owonifari market loop in Oshodi, relocating affected traders and shop owners to a newly built Isopakodowo market stalls at Bolade area in the popular commercial and transit nerve centre. The government, in similar vein, also commenced the fencing-off of the set-back on Agege Motor Road that stretches from Ilupeju end of Oshodi all the way to the PWD/Ikeja GRA end of the area.