A wave of sorrow has swept through the Akobo area of Ibadan, Oyo State, following the demolition of over 400 shops in Alegongo Market.
The operation, carried out by the Oyo State government earlier this week, has left many traders stranded and devastated.
The action, which was ordered under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, was swiftly executed by local government authorities.
Despite prior notices given to the affected traders, the timing and manner of the demolition have raised serious concerns.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described a chaotic atmosphere, where goods were thrown across the ground and traders scrambled to save what they could.
The destruction was fast-paced, and shop owners had little or no time to secure their properties.
According to one eyewitness, “The market was torn down while trading materials and goods were scattered across the ground.”
Meanwhile, several affected traders have cried out for help.
Many were seen holding placards and pleading with the state governor to stop the destruction.
Inscriptions on the placards included emotional appeals like, “Your Excellency, we are begging you, please don’t let them demolish our shops” and “We are begging, please come to our aid.”
However, these pleas seem to have gone unheard as demolition continued uninterrupted.
Moreover, despite the loud protests and emotional appeals from the traders, the local council claimed that the exercise was a necessary step toward modernizing the area.
The demolition has been described by many residents and stakeholders as painful.
Some are calling for immediate amendments to protect the livelihoods of low-income earners who depend on the market for daily survival.
Bimpe, a resident in the area, expressed deep concern over the situation. She said, “Honestly, we are worried about the fate of our businesses and livelihoods, as this sudden demolition has caught us off guard.”
Furthermore, questions have been raised about the transparency and fairness of the process.
According to Ajibola Keru, a prominent leader among the traders, the government failed to engage them in dialogue.
He noted, “Although the government has the power to do whatever it deems fit, we, the traders who have had letters of allocation for these spaces for over 20 years, expected that the local government would have called us to a meeting before making the decision to demolish.”
While the traders are calling for justice and a more considerate approach, a government official who preferred to remain anonymous defended the demolition.
He said, “The demolition is for the benefit of the residents and business owners, as the local government authority is only trying to modernize the area.”
Therefore, although the state government may have good intentions, the human cost of such decisions is becoming increasingly hard to ignore.
For many of the affected traders, rebuilding will not only take time, but it will also require support and compassion from the government.
In addition, issues of urban renewal, like this demolition, should be approached with both sensitivity and planning.
