The Oyo State Government has initiated a demolition exercise at the Ojoo market in the Akinyele local government area, leading to the destruction of numerous shops and kiosks on Thursday.
News About Nigeria gathered that this action has caused panic among both residents and traders within the locality.
According to reports, the State Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development had previously served the traders with a quit notice, urging them to vacate the market premises.
However, despite the notice, the traders remained in the market, prompting the government to take action.
Muhdeen Ganiyu, the Chairman of the market, popularly known as Elewedu, expressed concern over the short notice given to vacate the premises.
He said that the executive members of all affected markets would convene a meeting following the demolition exercise to address the situation.
In confirmation of the ongoing demolition, the Commissioner for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Williams Akin-Funmilayo, revealed that Governor Seyi Makinde personally addressed the traders during his visit to the site.
Akin-Funmilayo assured that the government would provide an alternative location for the affected traders, emphasising the safety concerns associated with the current market site.
Meanwhile, this recent demolition exercise in Ojoo market follows a similar event that occurred on January 10, 2024, at Iso Pako, Bodija market, Ibadan.
Reports indicate that shops and buildings worth millions of naira were demolished in collaboration with the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to curb alleged criminal activities in the area.
Reacting to the incident, Idris Abdul Rahuf, the secretary to the Hausa community in Bodija, Ibadan, lamented the loss of property and the displacement of residents resulting from the demolition.
