Traders at the Brewery Market in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest against an alleged attempt by suspected land grabbers to forcefully take over their market land.
The traders, who came out in large numbers, lamented that the attack had thrown their businesses and means of livelihood into jeopardy.
Speaking with journalists during the protest, the leader of the market, Mr. Oluwadamilola Solanke, explained that the crisis erupted on Saturday when armed men, carrying cutlasses, axes, and firearms, stormed the market in an attempt to eject traders.
He revealed that the incident has affected over 600 traders who rely on the market for survival. “This land is part of the Federal Government’s step-back, and we have documents to show it was approved for market use. Now, our shops are destroyed, and we are left homeless under the scorching sun,” Solanke said.
He added that the traders include widows, single mothers, and other vulnerable people, appealing to the Federal Ministries of Environment and Works, the local government, and Governor Dapo Abiodun to urgently intervene. “Even this morning, some traders were chased away again by men who returned in a Hilux vehicle with weapons. We are begging the state government to have mercy and intervene before things get out of hand,” he pleaded.
Also speaking, a widow and trader, Mrs. Sherifat Odunfa, described the situation as heartbreaking and appealed for government protection. “I am a widow, I have nowhere else to go. Even commercial drivers and motorcyclists who used to operate here have fled because of fear of violence. Please, do not disturb us, we are only struggling to survive,” she said.
The traders maintained that their protest was not against the government but against the activities of suspected land grabbers, stressing that urgent intervention was needed to secure their market and livelihood.
