The Alaba International Amalgamated Traders Association has shutdown all sections of the market for three days following the attack on them by suspected hoodlums and transportation unions in Lagos.
Rising from a special meeting of the Alaba International Amalgamated Traders Association on Wednesday after the attack on the traders, the Association decided that the whole market in Alaba be shut down starting from Thursday October 20, till Monday October 23.
“It was decided that the whole market comprising all sections in alaba market including ODETA will be shut starting from tomorrow being Thursday the 20th day of October 2022 till Monday the 23 rd of October 2022”.
“It was to address the issue of miscreants (agbero ) and the excesses of some government agencies in Alaba international market and environs . God bless us all.” The statement reads.
Recall that traders, and touts clash on Wednesday over collections of levies at Alaba International.
The hoodlums, popular known as “Area boys” in Lagos engaged the
traders at the popular Alaba International Market in Ojo area of Lagos, in a bloody clash, resulting to the death of four people, while several others were injured in a fight that lasted for hours
According to reports, the clash was over collections of levies in Alaba International Market.
The bloody clash with traders witnessed the closing down of shops and stalls as pandemonium broke out in the market.
Videos of the fracas were later seen trending online with hundreds of hoodlums armed with dangerous weapons, including cutlasses, bottles, planks and other dangerous items marching towards the market ad they poised for war.
It was gathered that many traders and members of the Lagos State Parks and Garages were injured in the bloody clash.
The between the transport unions and the market task force, went bloody, as traders scampered for safety locking up their shops in fear of being caught in the web of the face-off.
The operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and police were quickly drafted to quell the mayhem.
The Lagos State Police Command Spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin said Alaba International Market is now calm.
“Normalcy has been restored. @rrslagos767 and men of Ojo Division are on ground, under the supervision of Area Commander Festac, ACP Igbafe Afegbai. There is no cause for alarm as monitoring continues,” he tweeted.
