Williams Kayode
Traders at the popular Alaba Rago Market in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State have appealed to the state government for compensation following the demolition of their shops and structures.
The demolition, which began on Sunday, August 17, and lasted until Wednesday, August 20, displaced thousands of traders in one of the state’s largest food, livestock, and scrap metal markets. This marks the second demolition at the site in just over a year. In May 2024, officials of the Lagos State Taskforce carried out a similar exercise, citing the removal of shanties and illegal structures.
Alhaji Adamu Katagum, the Waziri of Sarkin Alaba Rago and second-in-command to the market leader, said more than 3,000 shops, including mosques, were destroyed in the latest operation. He estimated cumulative losses at over N20 billion.
He recalled that the market was first allocated to Northern traders in 1979, who developed it with their own resources. “At that time, this place was bushy and swampy, with no road network. It was Hausa traders who invested heavily to develop it. The government never built a single structure here, yet we faithfully pay taxes and dues. Suddenly, they came and destroyed what we had laboured for 50 years without following due process,” Katagum lamented.
He also accused the authorities of failing to give proper notice before the demolition. “We have spent over 50 years building this market. We suffered to establish our businesses here, and in a single day, they demolished everything without warning. We counted at least 40 mosques destroyed.”
Another trader, Alhaji Muhammed Rabiu ‘Yan Masarain, described the demolition as unfair and unjust, given the traders’ contributions to the socioeconomic life of Lagos. He noted that many in the community had supported the ruling party in the state since 1999 and expressed disappointment at what he called a betrayal.
“We are Nigerians, and Lagos is part of Nigeria. We have every right to be here, where we have lived and traded since it was nothing but a swamp. We are not illegal settlers. Our properties have legal papers, and we pay all required taxes and levies. Yet, we just woke up on Monday morning to be confronted by bulldozers and armed policemen. Our wealth and livelihood crumbled in the blink of an eye,” Rabiu said.
As of press time, the Lagos State Government had not issued an official statement on the demolition, which has sparked growing concerns over the fate of traders and their families.