CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
Traders at Aguiyironsi International Trader Centre at Ladipo market in Lagos have raised alarm over an alleged plans by the Nigerian Police to arrest and detain their executives in order to install the former chairman of the market, Chief Jonathan Okoli.
P.M.EXPRESS reports, this followed the recent invitation by the Federal Anti-robbery Squad FARS, Abuja who invited the leadership over the crises that erupted when Okoli reportedly attempted to enter the market with suspected thugs which Okoli had denied.
The protesting traders who were threatening to shut down the entire Ladipo market indefinitely said that it took the intervention of the Lagos State Government and Mushin Local Government and other security agents to restore peace in the market after several years of violence and crises.
They urged the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) and the Lagos State government to step into the matter to avoid escalating the crises by the alleged plans to install Okoli.
The angry traders said, though Okoli was no longer a members of their association, if he wants to come into the market to do business, he was free but not bringing hoodlums who have no stake in the market than to cause violence.
The chairman of the market, Chief Cyprian Onyemaechi who confirmed the invitation on phone had earlier said that Okoli allegedly hired armed thugs and attempted to invade the market to take over the leadership.
However, the traders resisted Okoli’s move to bring thugs into the market which resulted into fracas and many sustained injuries including Onyemaechi and Okoli during the fracas.
Onyemaechi explained that following the fracas where the thugs inflicted injuries to some traders with their arms, the matter was referred to the In IGP monitoring team, Abuja who has been investigating the matter.
He said he was surprise when he received call that the FSARS brought invitation and asked him to come to Abuja in respect of the same matter being handled by the monitoring team.
“I was surprise but since I don’t have problem with anybody, I am ready to answer them, though I traveled and when I come back, I will prepare and go and answer them” Onyemaechi said.
He reiterated his earlier position that Okoli was free to come to the market but not with hoodlums, adding that it took a lot sacrifice to restore peace in the market after several years of crises.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the market was ridden with crises for over 10 years before State government intervene and conducted an election where Onyemaechi and other executives emerged.
However, the peace seems to be eluding the market following the recent move by Okoli which caused mayhem in the market.
Okoli in his earlier reaction, said he was no longer interested in the leadership but wanted to enter the market to do his business.
He said he has reasonable property at the market and cannot be deprived access to his property.
He denied that he brought thugs into the market but said the leadership was afraid of his popularity.
P.M.EXPRESS could not get the reaction of Police as the FPRO did not pick his phone.