Hoodlums,on Monday, invaded the famous Oshodi Market in Lagos
State, destroying traders’ goods and beating up some.
Many believe that the attack on the market and some traders were
as a result of post-election violence.
The attackers were alleged to have first stormed Oshodi Market at
about 5am, destroy shops. They later returned around 7am and pounced on the
goods of traders, scattering and damaging them.
The traders said that they were used to be attacked by some
familiar thugs, stressing that these particular set of thugs were complete
strangers.
According to some of the traders, as the invaders were destroying
their wares, they were screeching, “You people refused to vote for APC.”
One of the traders, Mr. Chukwu, explained that he was heading
towards his shop in the morning, in preparation to open for the day’s business,
when he saw people running helter-skelter.
He said: “I stopped some of them to find out what was going on. I
was told that some hoodlums invaded the market and were destroying their goods
and beating up traders. At my age, I couldn’t just start running without
actually attempting to know what transpired. I have been doing business at
Oshodi now for 40 years and we have never witnessed this sort of situation. A
situation whereby strangers invaded our market and traders started running.”
Chukwu said that he determined went closer to the direction where
he felt the heat of the tension was coming from. When he got there, he saw some
men attacking a particular set of people.
His words: “I noticed that the strangers were only attacking a
particular people and accusing them of voting against them on Saturday. I was
able to put a call across to the Ohaneze leaders. The leaders called me back,
saying they have informed the police.”
Chukwu said that within minutes, both police and military men
appeared. The hoodlums melted away immediately they caught of the security men.
He further said: “For me, I see no reason why, people who
exercised their right to vote for whoever they wanted to be their leaders, should
be attacked. Some of the people voted for on Saturday are not foreigners;
they are Nigerians. We will not forget in hurry what happened to our shops
under Bridge Oshodi, a few years ago. We learnt that the action taken by the
state government to destroy our shops was as result of the Igbos’ refusal to
vote for the ruling party. It is very wrong to say that Igbos don’t always vote
for the ruling party. Some Igbos are card carrying members of the ruling party.
As a Nigerian, everybody has a right to choose his or her leaders.”
Another trader, Michael, said: “We’re not surprised by the
invasion. But it was wrong of them to destroy our source of livelihood. We do
pay our taxes in Lagos. I came this morning to see my kiosk destroyed. When I
asked traders that came earlier, I was told that some guys stormed the market
armed with weapons to destroy disrupt our businesses and destroy our shops.”
Michael continued: “I heard some traders were beaten when they
came the second times. Their aim was to impart fear into us. It is not good
because we’re the people developing this state. Some of the shops built
by government are sold to us because we are willing and ready to pay any amount
to get a shop. We’re calling on the state government to put security measure in
place so that such things will not occur again. Lagos is no man’s land! It is
expected that every Nigerian is free to do business anywhere in the country
without being intimidated or harassed. We’re expecting the state government to come
out and condemn the action of those hoodlums.”
A bag seller, Chidi, said that he was able to escape the hoodlums attack
just by a stroke of luck. He noted that when he saw the men coming in group,
with some wielding planks, he sensed there was going to be trouble and had
quickly bolted.
He said: “God was at work this morning. In fact, before I left
home this morning, one of my brothers suggested I shouldn’t go out. He said I
should wait for some days to elapse after the election before resuming. He felt
that the Saturday election violence, which occurred at Okota, might extend to
other places. I was very careful as I was coming to my shop this morning. And
then I saw those guys and took off.”
Reacting to
the incident, President General Ohanaeze, Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief John Nnia
Nwodo said: “
Igbos
in Lagos are being threatened for exercising their civic rights to vote. This
morning, they were stopped from opening their market stalls in Oshodi.
The Acting Inspector General of Police refused to pick my three calls to him.
The Oba of Lagos remains quiet. The Governor of Lagos State makes no broadcast.
The safety of more than four million Igbos living in Lagos seems to be of no
concern to him. The Jagaban threatens Igbos to relocate, if they do not vote
for his party. Thanks to Afenifere for its salutary and comforting voice. The
Commander- in- Chief, maintains an ominous silence. The International Community
wonders what a country this is. Professor Yakubu Mahmood be warned. Remember
1966. Remember 1983. Our democracy was upturned on those two occasions for the
action or inaction of our electoral commission. Governor Umahi, you cannot be
Chairman of South-East Governors and remain unconcerned about the plight of
Igbos in Lagos and unperturbed by the manipulation of our votes in the
South-East. History is recording our action and inaction. I appeal to Igbos to
remain calm and law-abiding while remaining resolute on our resolve to seize
the moment of this election to change the character of our governance. May the
Almighty God save our country from sliding into another crisis.”
The Lagos State Police Command, has, however, denied
that anything happened in Oshodi and other parts of the metropolis.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Chike
Oti said: “ Attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to the
news making the rounds on the internet to the effect that a group of boys
popularly called the 'Area boys' are attacking Igbo traders at Oshodi,
preventing them from opening their shops. The Command wishes to debunk the
rumour in its entirety as nothing could be further from the truth. Although
the Command received distress calls from concerned Nigerians whose
apprehensions were understandably heightened by disturbing rumours emanating
from some social media platforms, the Command swiftly and massively deployed
its personnel drawn from various units to Oshodi and environs to assuage the
feelings of residents and further assure Lagosians of its readiness to
decisively deal with any person or group of persons who attempts to breach the
public peace.”
It was however gathered that the police did make
some arrest, but later released the suspects.
No comments:
Post a Comment