Traders protest spare parts’ market demolition at Lagos Assembly

Traders protest spare parts’ market demolition at Lagos Assembly

Hundreds of shop owners and market leaders from the Owode Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday, demanding an immediate halt to the ongoing demolition of their market.

The protesters, who marched from the Lagos State Fire Service headquarters, displayed placards with messages such as, “Sanwo-Olu, call LASBCA and its thugs to order”, “No prior notice of market relocation”, and “Babajide Sanwo-Olu, save our souls”, among others.

Our correspondent reports that the protesters sang solidarity songs as they marched to the gate of the assembly complex in Ikeja and called on the state lawmakers to intervene.

PUNCH Metro recalls that some government officials had demolished parts of the market along Ikorodu Road at around 4:00 a.m. on March 6, 2025.

Many shop owners claimed they were unaware of the exercise, which resulted in losses worth billions of naira, with goods looted and properties destroyed.

Speaking at the protest, the market’s president general, Abiodun Ahmed, expressed outrage over the lack of prior notification.

“We saw the police, LASBCA, and the army arrive at the market. They demolished over 500 shops, including my three shops. I have lost everything. This was done without any notice,” he said.

Ahmed claimed that the demolition had already claimed lives, with three members dead and several others hospitalised.

He added, “How do we provide for our families when our only means of livelihood has been taken away by the same government that should be protecting us? We don’t want violence. That’s why we have come to the House of Assembly.

“At least, three of our members have lost their lives as a result of this demolition. Many of our members are in the hospital. Where do we start from? We want the state government to come and help us.

“We can’t survive like this. Our families’ livelihood is at risk. How do we take care of them if our only means of livelihood has been pulled down by the government that is supposed to protect us? We don’t want to fight. That’s why we have come to this state house of assembly.”

A market executive, Samuel Oluwole Gaba, further described the demolition as devastating.

He said, “We have 41,000 traders in this market. Then, one morning, they just came and destroyed everything without notice. We are pleading with the governor and the speaker to come to our aid.

“Where do they want us to go now? Do they want us to start driving buses and riding motorcycles? Or, do they want to turn into hoodlums? They demolished shops, mosques and other structures in the market.”

Another protester, Alarape Oluwasegun, noted that the market had existed since 1979 and attracted traders from across Nigeria and beyond.

He said, “People from other countries come here to buy spare parts. Now, without warning, large parts of the market have been demolished. We don’t understand what is happening, which is why we are protesting peacefully.”

Shop owners also raised concerns over alleged looting that followed the demolition.

“After they tore down our shops, hoodlums stole our machines. Everything was taken,” an elderly trader, Balogun, lamented.

Addressing the protesters, Adebola Shabi, representing Lagos Mainland Constituency II, assured them of justice.

“This is your house. I can assure you that we will invite all stakeholders, investigate the matter, and give it accelerated attention,” he said.

Details News Metro reports that a similar pattern of late-night market demolitions was observed at the Police Officers’ Wives Association Shopping Complex in Computer Village, Ikeja.

Traders at the complex also decried their sudden displacement, accusing the government of carrying out the demolition on December 30, 2025, without prior notice or the presence of shop owners.