Traders Protest Over KAI Closure Of Mushin Market & Demanding N4m For Reopening

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the KAI officials, in a display of power abuse, insisted that they can only reopen the market on the condition that the traders must pay N4m, which triggered the protest with the display of different placards stating their demands.

A human rights advocacy group, AMPEF, visited the affected market on fact finding mission about the closure after the traders sent SOS to the group and met the leaders of the market.

 The Mushin Market executives, Mr. Saliu Akanbi, and Taiwo Alabede, explained that on 7th February, 2024, by 7am, KAI officials stormed the market, started packing goods and throwing them on the streets. A young man challlenged them for wasting the consumables owned by struggling traders. His action was said to have infuriated the officials, who shut the market asking for N4,000,000 before the market will be reopened.

The AMPEF Coordinator, Comrade Prince Saviour Ichie, in a call with LAWMA PRO, Mrs. Shade Kadiri, affirmed that LAWMA is unaware of the recent 9 days closure of the market by KAI as she directs the Mushin Market executives to attend the environmental meeting in Alausa to register their complaints.

During the peaceful protest, some of the traders  lamented bitterly over loss of money because their goods are perishable and have been wasted.

One of the  traders, Mrs. Ramota, said her goods are perishable consumable goods, which cannot be preserved for long before turning into waste, said she comes from very far distance everyday with hopes that the market will be reopened for her to sell her goods but all to no avail.

Another trade, Mrs. Shade, who is a single mother of many children and solely depends on her daily sales for livelihood, lamented that the closure for nine days has caused untold hardship to her family because she depends on daily sales to feed her family.

Alhaja Taibat Abdulhameed, a committee member of the Mushin Market, said in the morning of 7th of February when the closure occured, KAI officials, at about 7am, were seen throwing away people’s goods and were countered by someone for putting struggling traders into such debt for not calling traders to order if there were any order violated.  Upon countering by the daring young man, who only tried to plead, KAI officials displayed a misuse of power, shut down the market for obstruction of duty and demanded N4m unless the market will remain closed.

She disclosed that the closure of the market has affected her family greatly, because her husband is also a trader in same market hustling for means to keep the home front running.

Several other traders took to the streets of Mushin in a protest, which almost turned wild, in order to address KAI officials high handedness, who parked their operational vehicle at the market entrance to stop customers patronage.

A KAI official, who was approached by the human rights advocates over the issue, said the protest will further prolong their punishment and fine and there’s nothing the traders or anyone can do about it.

AMPEF Advocate, Comrade Prince Saviour, who led fellow comrades to market after an S.O.S call by traders demanded that the Ministry of Environment should take swift action on the KAI officials in order to reopen the market, otherwise they should expect a radical protest. This assertion was taken after thorough investigation on the issue, which has led to massive wastage, untold hardship and setback for traders.

Comrade Ichie stated: “Considering the nation’s economy, where people can hardly survive, it is inhuman to block people’s source of livelihood and make outrageous demand of N4m as fine otherwise the market will remain closed”.

“It’s high time the government began to checkmate this bodies over misuse of power and lay emphasis on jurisdiction/mode of operations/conduct. If KAI is Kick Against Indiscipline and they portray Indiscipline in their duty, how then can they maintain law and orderliness in the state? The officials needs sensitization on mode of conduct; extortion, and inhumane treatment of persons must stop.”

“The question is: Between LAWMA and KAI, who is responsible for environmental inspection? Does KAI possess the power to shut down a busy market for 9 days and impose a fine of N4m before reopening despite economy challenges?”

These are some questions the human rights groups are asking while calling for the reopening of the market.