Amidst tears and outcry, the Lagos state
government carried out a major demolition on
the Owonifari part of the Oshodi market,
today, Wednesday, January 6.
The demolition was supervised by security
operatives and while the exercise ended
before midday, evacuation continues.
It was reported that shop owners who are
largely Igbo people from the eastern part of
the country had been issued with a notice
from the state government asking them to
leave. This was however denied by several
shop owners who spoke with Naij.com.
A shop owner who spoke on the condition of
anonymity to Naij.com said it was painful to
look at the rubbles that used to be his
investment. Sniffing back tears, he said:
“I have been doing business in Oshodi for the
past ten years and I invested all my money
and time in investing in it. I just returned
from the Christmas holiday when I was told
my shop was being demolished. I had little
time to pack my things. My life is ruined.”
Another shop owner who simply identified
himself as Chibuzor spoke via phone with
Naij.com. He said he was still in the east
where he had gone to spend the holiday
adding that another shop owner told him the
unfortunate news.
“I don’t think I will return to Lagos as
everything I own is gone,” he lamented.
Another trader who spoke anonymously said
it was shameful that they were not given
enough time to evacuate. He claimed the
matter was still ongoing and people were
caught by surprise when bulldozers were
brought in to clear the market.
READ ALSO: Lagos Begins Project In Oshodi
The claim that goods and valuables were still
in the shops before they were demolished
seems true as members of the demolition
team were seen putting aside appliances and
gadgets while evacuation continued.
