Panic swept through residents and traders of the bustling Ojoo market in Oyo State’s Akinyele Local Government Area as government authorities demolished numerous shops and kiosks on Thursday.
Reports gathered by The Press indicate that the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development had previously issued quit notices to the traders, urging them to vacate the market premises. However, the traders had resisted the eviction notices and remained in the market.
Muhdeen Ganiyu, commonly known as Elewedu and serving as the Chairman of the market, expressed concerns over the short notice given for eviction but mentioned that the executive members of all affected markets would convene after the demolition for further discussions.
“The quit notice was too short. All executive members of all the affected markets will soon meet. So, I cannot say anything for now,” Ganiyu stated.
In confirmation of the ongoing demolition, the Commissioner for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Williams Akin-Funmilayo, affirmed that Governor Seyi Makinde personally visited the site to address the affected individuals. Akin-Funmilayo emphasized the government’s commitment to providing an alternative location, citing safety concerns with the current market site.
“The State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had gone there personally to address them. The government will provide another place. That place is dangerous. And the new place is not far. Just at the front of the Barracks,” Akin-Funmilayo explained.
