Alaba market leaders warn against looting amid planned protests

By Chukwuma Umeorah

The leadership of Alaba International Market, Ojo Lagos has issued a firm advisory to members of the public planning to participate in the planned nationwide protest in Nigeria, emphasizing that the market will not tolerate any acts of looting under the guise of the demonstration.

The President General of the market, Camilus Amajuoyi clarified that while the traders at Alaba International Market are deeply affected by the current economic challenges, they do not support or plan to partake in the nationwide protest. “We members of Alaba international market unequivocally states that we are not going to partake in any planned protest in Nigeria, we are not closing our market in solidarity with any group or persons with regard to any protest. We believe that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will definitely find a lasting solution to the numerous challenges facing Nigerians now, ranging from insecurity, high cost of food, drugs, transportation, bad roads, corruption among other things,” he stated.

Amajuoyi explained that the market’s decision is rooted in the belief that mass protests may not provide the needed solution at this time, and that many traders rely on daily income, making additional disruptions particularly burdensome.

In light of these concerns, Amajuoyi appealed to the Lagos State government, Nigerian police, military, Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies to ensure the safety and protection of market places from looters and criminal elements during the protest period.

He further highlighted the severe impact of the current economic challenges on the informal sector, where the cost of doing business has tripled due to fluctuating exchange rates, increased duty costs, and rising transportation expenses. “For example, the only access road leading to the market is in a very terrible and dangerous shape and it poses a great threat to the lives of citizens plying that route as heavy duty trucks has fallen on that road several times causing great damages both to the owner of the goods and other road users,” he lamented. He however noted that these issues were not peculiar to Alaba traders as the plight is felt across the country.

Amajuyi expressed confidence that the current administration will address the issues of insecurity, inflation, and infrastructural decay which are the purported reasons cited by the organizers of the protest. “We believe that President Bola Tinubu will definitely find a lasting solution to these numerous challenges facing Nigerians now.”