Panic in Balogun market as woman trader is attacked, shop razed

By Chibuzor Anibueze

Tension gripped Balogun Market, Lagos at about 6:00am yesterday, after a businesswoman, Mrs. Yetunde Ehru, was reportedly attacked by suspected religious extremists who allegedly beat her up and set her shop ablaze in a disturbing incident that has heightened fear among traders and residents in the area.

The victim, said to be a popular trader in the market, was reportedly rescued by other shop owners and passers-by who rushed to the scene after hearing her screams for help.

Eyewitness accounts said the attackers fled in haste when they noticed that sympathisers and fellow traders were gathering around the scene.

“She was shouting and crying for help. People from nearby shops started running towards the place and that was when the attackers set her shop ablaze and quickly retreated,” a trader, who pleaded anonymity, told The Sun.

Mrs. Ehru was thereafter rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention, while efforts were made by sympathisers to put out the fire that had already destroyed goods and valuables in her shop.

Although the full circumstances surrounding the attack were still sketchy at the time of filing this report, a source familiar with the development alleged that the incident might not be unconnected with a festering dispute involving one of the victim’s salesgirls and her family.

The source, who did not want his name in print, claimed that the father of the salesgirl is believed to be one of the leaders of a mosque in the Igbosere area of Lagos Island and had allegedly been angered by reports that Mrs. Ehru took his daughter to church.

According to the source, the situation reportedly worsened after it became known that Mrs. Ehru is a women leader in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, a development some persons allegedly interpreted as an attempt to influence the young lady’s religious choice.

“This matter has been generating tension for some time. There have been threats here and there. People are worried because it is taking a dangerous dimension,” the source said.

Sources further told The Sun that the salesgirl at the centre of the controversy has since abandoned her family home and gone into hiding, a situation said to have further infuriated her father, who allegedly blames Mrs. Ehru for the development.

There were also claims that death threats had been directed at the businesswoman, with some persons allegedly vowing to carry out further attacks.

The development has thrown Balogun Market into anxiety, with traders calling on the Lagos State Government and security agencies to urgently intervene before the matter degenerates into a wider religious crisis.

Some residents and shop owners fear that if decisive steps are not taken, the incident could spark avoidable violence in the densely populated commercial district.

They appealed to the police and other relevant authorities to beef up security in the area and ensure that those behind the attack are identified and brought to justice.

When contacted, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmus, confirmed that she was aware of reports of the incident but said she had yet to receive a detailed briefing.

She, however, promised to get back to The Sun with more information.

As at the time of filing this report, further response from the police authorities was still being awaited.