Inside Osogbo: Traders Lament Dismantling Of Shops By “Govt Officials”

…Osun Govt Reacts

Traders plying their trade in Ayegbaju market, Akindeko, parts of Fakunle and Aregbesola area of Osogbo have lamented attacks by faceless agents.

It was gathered that some unknown individuals, allegedly from the Osun Ministry of Commerce, early on Thursday morning, raided kiosks and shops along public walkways in Osogbo, the state capital.

A trader, Taofeek Ibrahim while speaking with Newsmen on the alleged attack said they had been given notice by officials of the Ministry of Commerce to relocate to the Ayegbaju market but they never knew that the government would strike without giving them a chance to relocate.

Another trader, Sukurat Abubakarsaid although they were notified, they took some steps to settle the affair.

“When we came here, we were approached and asked to pay N200 monthly for using this space.

“After payment, we were given some receipts as a sign of payment.

“When we were approached by the ministry officials, we went to the State Assembly where the Speaker, Adewale Egbedun encouraged us to stay put, that the issue will be resolved.”

Abubakar lamented that they just heard that very early on Thursday morning, their shops had been destroyed.

“The Speaker came here on hearing our plight and immediately denounced the action.

“He called the Commissioner for Commerce who denied knowledge of the development.

“But one Director in the Ministry stated that he was aware of the development.”

She called on the members of the public and the state government to come to their aid as they were poor traders trying to make ends meet.

Reacting, the state government directed an investigation into the night raid on the traders and the pulling down of their stalls.

The state ministries of Commerce and Environment also denied that any of their officials were involved in the raid.

In a statement signed by Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson to the Osun State Governor, the ministries clarified that they have standard guidelines for the enforcement of government regulations.

“In this case, government agencies do not have provisions for night enforcement of regulations. So those unidentified individuals are definitely not staff or agents of the state.

“Mr Governor has subsequently directed the Commissioners of Commerce and Industry and that of Environment to investigate the matter and take immediate corrective action.”