A dispute over the relocation of motor spare-parts and scrap dealers operating around Ogunrinde Street and the Super/Katangowa axis in Abule Egba, Lagos, has taken a new turn, with the Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) offering an alternative site while the affected traders question the process and the short notice given to them.

The council’s intervention followed complaints by leaders of the affected associations, including the Chairman of the Scrap Union, Alhaji Bala Gambo; Vice Chairman of the United Brothers Motor Spare Parts Association, Mr Chigozie Arinze; and other representatives of auto spare-parts dealers.

The traders had appealed to the council for assistance in securing a suitable location for their businesses following plans to redevelop the Katangowa axis as part of the emerging Lagos ICT Park initiative.

Road construction is already progressing along the corridor, while preparations are reportedly advancing for the relocation of computer and technology-related businesses associated with Ikeja Computer Village.

In response, the LCDA said it had facilitated the allocation of three acres of land along the Amikanle axis for the affected auto spare-parts dealers, describing the move as an effort to provide a structured alternative and minimise the impact of the redevelopment on traders’ livelihoods.

However, concerns remain among some of the affected traders over the manner in which the relocation is being implemented.

A public notice attributed to the LCDA management and seen by The Guardian directed auto spare-parts dealers operating along Ogunrinde Street and inside Super/Katangowa Market to relocate to Amikanle Auto Spare Parts Market with immediate effect.

The notice, which took effect on Friday, October 2, 2026, gave traders five days to comply and warned that those who failed to do so could face sanctions, including the sealing of their shops and payment of fines.

The notice, however, did not state the reason for the relocation, identify any official by name or outline the procedure for securing space at the proposed destination. It was simply signed as, “Management, Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area.”

The development has unsettled some traders, who said they had previously relocated from another site after being told that the space was required for drainage construction.

They said they complied with that directive and moved their businesses to their present location, only to be asked to relocate again.

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Lagos State Branch, which addressed a press conference in Lagos on Friday, said the five-day ultimatum was inadequate, particularly for traders who had existing tenancy arrangements and had recently renewed their rents.

The organisation said the traders needed sufficient time to move their goods, secure alternative premises and reorganise their businesses without suffering avoidable financial losses.

The traders also questioned the arrangements at the proposed Amikanle site.

According to CDHR, some traders said they were directed to meet one Bode Famuyiwa regarding the allocation of spaces at Amikanle.

They alleged that they were subsequently informed that no vacant land was available and that existing shops were being offered for about N5 million each.

The traders questioned Famuyiwa’s relationship with the LCDA and the authority under which he was allegedly handling the allocation.

The council’s relocation notice does not mention Famuyiwa, prescribe an allocation procedure or state that N5 million is required for any shop or space.

It therefore remains unclear whether the alleged payment is an official requirement or whether Famuyiwa has any formal role in the relocation exercise.

There are also questions over the suitability of the proposed site. Some traders alleged that parts of the area fall within a power-line corridor and expressed concern that they could face another displacement if the location is subsequently deemed unsuitable for commercial activities.

The specific status of the Amikanle site in relation to power-line clearance requirements could not be independently established.

CDHR Chairman, Comrade Adewale Ojo, said the organisation recognised the government’s responsibility to undertake infrastructure projects, including urban development, environmental improvement and drainage works.

He, however, argued that affected residents and business owners should be properly engaged and given adequate notice and a viable alternative before being displaced.

The rights group called for any forceful eviction or demolition to be suspended pending consultation.

It also demanded an official relocation plan identifying available spaces, a joint inspection of the proposed site with the traders, clarification of any applicable charges and a reasonable timeline for the relocation.

Ojo said CDHR was willing to facilitate dialogue between the traders and the relevant government authorities to prevent the dispute from escalating.

At the press conference, there was no representative of the LCDA to respond directly to the concerns raised by the traders and the rights group.

The council’s notice also did not mention drainage, despite the traders’ claim that their previous relocation was linked to drainage construction.

This has raised questions over whether the latest relocation is connected to the same project or is being undertaken for another development purpose.

The traders said they had made efforts to obtain clarification from the council but had yet to receive satisfactory answers.

Despite the concerns, the LCDA said the allocation of the three-acre site along the Amikanle axis was intended to provide the affected businesses with an alternative location and ensure that development in the area did not completely undermine their livelihoods.

The council also reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement with stakeholders, saying sustainable development was best achieved through dialogue, fairness, mutual understanding and responsible engagement.

The association leaders, meanwhile, commended the council chairman for intervening in the dispute and described the allocation of the alternative site as a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to peaceful coexistence between residents, business owners and other interest groups.

For the traders and CDHR, however, the immediate concerns remain the five-day relocation period, the availability and suitability of the proposed site, the procedure for allocating spaces, the identity and authority of anyone collecting money from traders, and whether the alleged N5 million charge has any official backing.

CDHR said it would continue to monitor the situation and urged the parties to avoid confrontation.

It warned that if dialogue fails, it would seek legal redress in court.