Agboju Market as its fondly called , plays a major importance in the lives of residents of Festac Town , Amuwo Odofin, Lagos State.
The market which is one of the major markets in the community houses over 600 market / business owners.
Sadly Monday was an ugly day for them as protest against “illegal demolition order” of the market.
According to some traders, there was an order to demolish the market without any prior notice.
This order is connected to land dispute based on ownership of the land in which the market was built which has been on for several years.
The tussle for ownership lies between Alhaji Taiwo Abatan and Mrs Osenat Adebayo, the iyaloja (market leader) of the market, who according to traders enjoys the support of the Local government.
According to the, Alhaji Abatan claimed to be the rightful owner of the land and that he had papers of allocation from the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing.
A representative from Federal Ministry of Works and Housing flew in from Abuja to backup Alhaji Abatan claims on the land..
Mrs Joel popularly known as Iya Tolu said Adebayo illegally hijacked the market from Abatan., Other traders said they pay N1000 to Adebayo’s foot soldiers every Friday. Others said there were instances of indiscriminate collection extra fees in the market.
“How can the local government that has no authority over the land allow anyone to collect money on the stalls built on it, the ministry official, who preferred anonymity, queried.
Iya Tolu insisted that the Federal Ministry of Works office in Lagos had invited Adebayo to come and explain her ownership of the land. But she, Adebayo, spurned the invitation.
Do you think demolition is the best way to resolve this land tussle ? What would happen to the traders ?
SHARE YOUR OPINION BELOW!