Lagos State Govt shuts down Ladipo market & arrests 'Bakassi Boys'

Lagos State Government Monday closed down Ladipo market, reputed to be West Africa’s largest auto spare parts market over what it described as proven cases of environmental nuisance and abused of public installations.

Officials of the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit sealed off the multi-billion market almost one week after Commissioner for Environment; Mr. Tunji Bello, inspected the market and established gross abuse of public infrastructure and utilities.

Consequent upon the unacceptable use of the market, operatives of the taskforce took over and cordoned off the entire area as early as 4 a.m., thereby preventing both traders and buyers from gaining entrance.

Chairman of the taskforce, Mr. Bayonle Suleiman, led security operatives to effect the closure of the market, where about ten members of a South-east anti-crime vigilante group, Bakassi Boys, were arrested.

Speaking with the journalists, Sulaiman said the state government had lots of issues with the market, ranging from hooliganism, lack of toilet facilities, degradation of the environment with diesel and fuel products. He added that the traders in the market formed another government.

He explained that the taskforce officials came to the market two weeks ago, but the leaders of the market did not show up.

“There are serious trading going on in the streets and there are lots of shanties here. We will make sure that this time around, proper sanitation is done by the traders before this market will be re-opened and they have to submit to the Chairman of Mushin Local Government Area,” the task force boss said.

At this instance, Bello said the state government ordered the closure of Ladipo Market after several meetings and warnings with the market leadership and traders about the deteriorating state of the market.

 
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