One year after, Shasha market traders pick pieces

• Urge Makinde To Commission Rebuilt Market

On Friday, February 12, 2021, violence broke out in Shasha market, Akinyele Local Council, Ibadan, Oyo State, leaving in its trail, deaths and destruction. 

The violence had begun as an altercation between a group of persons of Yoruba and Hausa descent in the market. Unfortunately, what started as a minor disagreement culminated in setting market wares, shops and houses ablaze, as well as inflicting injuries on many traders and inhabitants of the community. 

New-look of Shasha Market

After the destruction and loss of lives and property, many well-meaning Nigerians and organisations paid sympathy visits to the community. They promised to give succour to the traders and compensate those affected. 

One year after, The Guardian paid a visit to the market to assess the situation of the business community. It was observed that structures have sprung up from the rubble with well-paved walkways. Market stalls, shops and many buildings were seen at the site.  

The Oyo State government, it was gathered, has been the brain behind the rebuilt structures with Akinyele Local Council supervising the project. 

[files] People try to salvaged valuables from burnt shop after deadly ethnic clashes between the northern Fulani and southern Yoruba traders at Shasha Market in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria, on February 15, 2021. – Nigerian President vowed to protect all religious and ethnic groups in the country after deadly clashes erupted between different communities at a market in the southwest over the weekend. Long-standing rivalry over access to land and resources between northern Fulani herders and southern Yoruba farmers are behind renewed ethnic tensions across the south. (Photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP)

The site engineer handling the project, Engr Olajide Mosuru said the project is 100 per cent complete with the structures, roads and paveways. He added that it would soon be delivered for use. 

Mosuru said: “When the market was razed, the state government promised to rebuild it in a modern way. This is a promise fulfilled. Traders, both Hausa and Yoruba are very happy with the government for fulfilling its promise to rebuild the market. They are always here with us during the construction.”

However, various traders who spoke with The Guardian called on the state government to open the shops for use. They also called on the government to ensure that those who left the market in aftermath of the fracas are allowed to return in order for the government to recoup its investment in the market. 

One of them is Mr Mufutaudeen Osofi who sells pepper in the market. He said: “I lost about N500,000 to the disaster. There has been no money yet to commence active trading; we are struggling to survive. Wives of some of us are the ones taking care of the house since the occurrence.”

Also, a leader in the market, Alhaji Sarafadeen Akinpelu, popularly known as Insurance described last year’s incident as unfortunate. 

He said: “What happened last year was unfortunate. The fight between the Yoruba traders and their Hausa counterparts was about leadership tussle, which we insisted must be on a rotational basis in the market. We have been here for about 30 years.

“When the governor came here, he promised to rebuild this place. We are happy that he has fulfilled the promise. All we want now is for him to commission the market so that business activities can pick up in earnest.”

Another leader, Alhaji Abduwaheed Olayemi Olasumbo said he lost N11 million in the inferno. Olasumbo, however, said God has been sustaining him. He added that many traders obtained loan facilities. “We are happy that the burnt market has been rebuilt but we want the government to inaugurate it now and hand it over to the appropriate body to manage its affairs,” he said. 

He added: “This is the only pepper, tomatoes and onions market in Oyo State. This market should not be divided. Those who have gone elsewhere should come back here. There are spaces for them. Everyone should come here. The crisis has gone for good. No more fracas and altercation. The government should impress it on those who have gone to come back here.”

Also, the Otun Iyaloja of Shasha, Alhaja Afusat Nureni, called on the government to inaugurate the market for use and help build burnt houses. “We have done all necessary things the government asked to do. We are still expecting him to fulfil promises in that regard.”

Speaking, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Taiwo Adisa, said the chairman of Akinyele Local Council Area that is supervising the project is the person to advise if the mandate given has been completed. 

“Once it is complete the council chairman supervising the project says it is complete, the Governor will commission it,” Adisa said.