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Hoodlums Beat up Traders, Destroy Shops in Lagos Market

Published

6 years ago

February 26, 2019

Eric

There was pandemonium in the Oshodi area of Lagos, on Monday, as shops belonging to Igbo traders were allegedly forced shut by hoodlums said to be sympathetic to the All Progressives Congress.

It was gathered that the hoodlums beat up some of the traders for allegedly voting for the Peoples Democratic Party during the presidential and National Assembly elections that held on Saturday.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the hoodlums invaded the market around 5am and destroyed some shops before the traders arrived to set up their wares.

It was learnt that the hoodlums returned around 7am to beat up some of the traders, who were assessing the damage done to their shops.

One of the traders, who identified himself simply as Emeka, and whose shop was destroyed, said the hoodlums had no justification to attack the traders and their means of livelihood for exercising their civic right, adding that they were paying taxes to the Lagos State Government.

He stated, “I arrived for the day’s business only to see my shed already destroyed. When I asked those who arrived before me, I was told that some people came armed with weapons to destroy our places of business. I also learnt that they beat up some traders when they came the second time.

“This action on the Igbo is condemnable, because we are the ones developing this state. Some of the shops built by the government are sold to us because we are willing to pay any amount to get shops where business thrives.

“We are calling on the state government to put security measures in place so that such a thing will not repeat itself. As a Nigerian, it is expected that everyone will be free to do business anywhere in the country without being intimidated or harassed by anybody, regardless of who they decide to vote for.”

Another trader, identified simply as Obinna, said he escaped the beating by the hoodlums by chance.

Obinna said, “I was able to escape the hoodlums’ beating by luck, because when I saw some guys coming in a group with planks in their hands, I knew there was a problem and I just took to my heels. When I returned, some of the traders, who didn’t run far from the place, told me of what happened.

“Someone had earlier suggested that I should take some time before resuming business after the elections, but I thought democracy in 2019 should not involve violence. It is really bad that people cannot be allowed to exercise their right to vote in the acclaimed centre of excellence.”

A trader, who refused to give her name, said, “There was a problem with the ‘area boys’ this morning at Oshodi. They blocked our shops for almost an hour before the ‘Operation Python Dance’ operatives came and the hoodlums fled.

“The attack was accentuated by their belief that we the Igbo, who are doing business in Oshodi and environs, voted for the PDP instead of the APC. They even threatened to drive us out of Oshodi and place curses on us.

“So, in the process, information got to the ‘Operation Python Dance’ operatives, who ordered everybody to reopen their shops. That was when people resumed their normal business.

“What we have seen is that the youth acted based on some people’s directives. We don’t know those who sent them to attack us. Does it mean that we don’t have the right to vote for whoever we want?

“Must we vote for the same person they are voting for? It is wrong and this should not be a part of the democratic process. There are so many other things happening here, but we don’t say them out in the interest of peace.”

The member representing Oshodi Isolo 1 in the House of Representatives, Mutiu Shadimu, condemned the action of the hoodlums and called on the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.

He stated, “This morning, I was informed that non-indigenes were being attacked in Oshodi. The hoodlums were alleged to have asked the traders not to open their shops for voting for the PDP. This is rather unfortunate in a country that is supposed to be a federation. Every citizen has the right to live wherever they want to live and have the right to vote for whoever they want to vote for.

“No individual has the right to stop them from carrying out their civic duty. We are gradually running towards anarchy and I implore the agencies and people in government to keep up with their constitutional duties and bring to justice those who perpetrated such an act.”

The Lagos State Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences, however, debunked the news of the incident, stating that the alleged civil unrest was a rumour.

In a statement issued by its Head of Public Affairs Unit, Adebayo Taofiq, the Chairman of the task force, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, was quoted as saying that the agency and other security outfits were in constant patrol of the area to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

“Members of the public are hereby enjoined not to panic and go about their lawful business around Oshodi and other parts of the state,” he added.

Egbeyemi urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their wards as anyone caught fomenting trouble would be seriously dealt with in accordance with the law.

He also enjoined members of the public to call 112 and 767 in case of any disturbance or emergency around their vicinity.

Similarly, the Lagos State Police Command dispelled rumours of attacks on Igbo traders by ‘area boys’ in Oshodi.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, CSP Chike Oti, said in a statement, on Monday, that although the command received distress calls about the rumoured attacks, operatives were deployed in various parts of Oshodi and environs, adding that it did not receive information about any attack.

Oti stated, “The 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 ‘area boys’, were attacking Igbo traders in 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 apprehension was understandably heightened by disturbing rumours emanating from some social media platforms, the command swiftly and massively deployed its personnel drawn from various units in 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.”

He said the Commissioner of Police, Mu’azu Zubairu, commended Lagosians for conducting themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner during Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

Oti said the police, with the support of other sister security agencies, worked round the clock to ensure that the process was generally peaceful.

He said, “In order to sustain the peaceful atmosphere, the command will maintain a high level of police presence in all parts of the state with emphasis on crime-prone areas.

“Those celebrating should do so with modesty, while those unhappy with the results have the privilege of adhering to laid-down procedures of addressing their grievances as provided by the Electoral Act at the tribunals. The command has made adequate arrangements to secure the venues of the election petition tribunals in the state.”

The Punch

Featured

Ooni Felicitates with Bashorun Dele Momodu on His 65th Birthday

Published

10 hours ago

May 16, 2025

Eric

The House of Oduduwa, under the leadership of Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife joyfully celebrates a distinguished son of source, Bashorun Ayòbámidélé Àbáyòmí Ojútelégàn Àjàní Momodu, as he marks his 65th birthday.

Born in the sacred city of Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba civilization, Bashorun Dele Momodu’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a global media icon epitomizes his delegence, bravery and wisdom. Despite losing his father at the tender age of 13, he rose above challenges, guided by the unwavering support of his mother and the nurturing environment of the House of Oduduwa.

An alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University, he earned degrees in Yoruba and English Literature, reflecting a deep appreciation for his cultural heritage and a commitment to intellectual excellence. His early career saw him serve as a private secretary to the former Deputy Governor of Ondo State and later manage Motel Royal Limited under the auspices of the late Ooni Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II.

Bashorun Momodu’s foray into journalism began with African Concord magazine, leading to prominent roles in various publications. His unwavering commitment to truth and justice was evident during Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggles, where he faced persecution for his beliefs, eventually leading to exile. Undeterred, he founded Ovation International in 1996, a magazine that has since become a beacon of African excellence, celebrating achievements across the continent.

His contributions extend beyond media; as a political commentator and former presidential aspirant, he embodies the Yoruba enigmatic excellence. His insights and advocacy continue to shape national discourse, reflecting a deep-seated commitment to Nigeria’s progress.

As he celebrates 65 years, the House of Oduduwa honours Bashorun Dele Momodu’s indelible impact on journalism, culture, and national development. May the blessings of the ancestors continue to guide him, and may his legacy inspire generations to come.

Igba odun, odun kan ni!
Afon a gbo ko to wo!

Signed:
Otunba Moses Olafare,
Director, Media & Public Affairs,
Ooni’s Palace,
Ile-Ife.

Featured

Momodu: The Babalawo of Nigerian Media

Published

14 hours ago

May 16, 2025

Eric

Sixty-five today, the publisher of Ovation International, Chief Ayobamidele Momodu, is a pride, not just of the media but the nation. Olawale Olaleye writes.

Chief Ayobamidele Momodu’s story of grass to grace is public knowledge. All of the information is already out there. This is because he discusses his life and its intricate trajectory at every given opportunity with glee and self-esteem.

At the punch of a button, you’d have all you need to knowabout this proud media guru and indigene of Edo State, who chose to “naturalise” in Yorubaland, making Ile-Ife, the source, his birth station. Little wonder, his other names include Ojutelegan Ajani.

With a bit of mild activism spurred by instinctive resentment to abuse of any sort, this celebrated writer has conquered where many could not even dare. And, where many had failed, Bob Dee, as everyone calls him, is not one to be stifled by the failures of others. He’d rather make his own mistakes and learn from them.

His indomitable spirit, typical of the average Nigerian – man or woman – who carries him or herself with rare confidence and self-worth, is also why life has been unable to relegate him in the scheme of things.

He does not only catch up with trends in journalism and communications in general, but he always makes a conscious decision at self-development, just to stay active on the job, timelessly. That he has remained relevant for several decades is not a function of accident.

His willingness and readiness to help others, no matter what the issues are, is one trait that speaks to his individuality, and clearly a reflection of his thorough upbringing and the tolerant Yoruba environment, where life began for him – diped in the milk of kindness and their cultural hospitality.

With an enduring voyage on the media landscape, cutting across imposing brands and years of solid experience before setting out to do something different, not before building solid and expensive contacts in this multidisciplinary calling, it simply belies logic that anyone at all would question whether or not Bob Dee is a journalist?

With tongue-in-cheek and evident cynicism, an aide to the Minister of the FCT, LereOlayinka, during a recent interview on the Arise News Television, questioned Bob Dee’s journalism background. For convenient mischief, he’d rather he was a Babalawo because he studied Yoruba as his first degree. The effrontery alone is appalling!

A graduate of Yoruba and Master’s in English Literature from the University of Ife, (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 1982, Momodu got his first media job as staff writer with African Concord magazine, owned by the late Chief MKO Abiola, and later transferred to the Weekend Concord as a pioneer staff.

This graduate of Yoruba wrote the first cover story for the newspaper in March 1989, and contributed to other titles such as the National Concord, Sunday Concord, Business Concord and of course, his turf, the Yoruba newspaper, Isokan.

Featured

Ààrę @65! My Testament of a Good Man

Published

18 hours ago

May 16, 2025

Eric

By Seyi Orolugbagbe

The first time I ran into Joseph Ayobamidele Dada Ojutęlęgan Ajani Oluwaseun Momodu, after our Ifę days, was during one of my visits home, from the US, in the early 1990s.

So I was exiting the Abiola’s house while he was entering. We exchange greetings, having not seen since he left Ile-Ifę. But he did something so profound, by remembering to ask after my dad, whom by all consideration, is essentially one of the most, if not the most important human being to me. The truth is our relationship, and indeed my regards for him gained a higher ascendancy even from then. Then Bob Dee, as fondly called by most, suggested a spread, coming from his expertise in celebrity management for our newly established dealership in Victoria Island, Lagos. An experience he packaged and presented so meticulously well, and which helped in launching the new business, as a brand, fully and permanently in the Nigerian business firmament.

Additionally, his would-be wife and mine, happened to have been longstanding friends, having grown up in Ibadan and been Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ifę students, during same period. This would further deepen the relationships, to the extent families were brought together on both sides and parents became increasingly involved and closer, virtually becoming one large family and friendships grew larger, such that it got the Ààrę, to uncommonly but profoundly, name my daughter after his mom, Arikę. Our own great Ààrę would have showed up for me, in ways more than innumerable, in aspects, scenarios and capacities unfathomable or perhaps almost beyond human comprehension.

These are however my personal accounts. Those of others are certainly uncountable. Ààrę would make it a point of duty, even when not fashionable, nor convenient for him, to check up on everyone intermittently.
How can I forget how he would veer out, flying all the way to California, to spend time with us, or to call us up every time he set foot on the American soil, whenever he couldn’t fly in.

Then came his foray into politics, especially the very recent exercise; where it became incumbent on me to virtually step aside from every other thing in order to support him, by focusing and concentrating on prosecuting the political process and activities of running for the office of the president of Nigeria, as a gesture of appreciation.

We certainly weathered a lot together during the period. I must however state, unequivocally, that the storms and challenges, as daunting as they may have seemed, were not as nearly as important than the prospects of the gratifying feeling, the satisfaction and the accomplishment of working closely with the Onigege Ara of Joga-Orile, the Bashorun of Oke-Ila-Orangun, Ehanikhaye of Ihievbe Kingdom, Ààrę of Iwo Kingdom, the Akinrogun of Gbonganland, to list only a few, on these and similar projects. Our Bob Dee sir, olowori Yeye Ààrę Mobolaji Abiodun, Ana Adaramaja, n’Ijębu-Igbo, may the line continue to fall for you in pleasant places sir. May you continue to find God’s favor, grace, bias, kindness, joy, love, happiness and unequaled vista of good health. Your kind is truly rare.

Happy 65th Birthday Elder statesman, Omo aroti wę bi ojo, Omo o ji l’oru kę yin yin, Omo obęriri l’okun!