Lagos Cult Groups Take Over Ladipo Market

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

It appears that the leadership of Ladipo Auto Spare Parts Market has given up, leaving the market to the control of different cult groups that claim to provide security in the Mushin area and its environs in Lagos.

The market comprised of about 37 units had a central body called Ladipo Central Executive Committee, LACEC which seemed to have turned to powerless and toothless bull dog that cannot control the market.

 P.M.EXPRESS reports that the traders and their numerous customers were now at the mercy of these cult groups who have reportedly taken over the market completely.
P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the groups brandish all sort of weapons such as axes, knives, cutlasses, charms, guns and other dangerous weapons to intimidate and rob traders and customers who came to buy goods at the market.

Our correspondent gathered that their activities have turned the market to a black spot as traders and customers lose their money and valuables when they go to the market to sell and buy spare parts.
One of the traders told P.M.EXPRESS that apart from fighting for supremacy, the groups were also fighting for territories where they mount to collect toll from traders, and customers must settle them with money before they can leave the market.
Areas where such road blocks were mounted include Toyota, Five Star, Fatai Atere, Ojegunle, Osoro, Olapeju, Akinwumi streets and among others.
Our reporter gathered that the groups usually come to the market in the mornings to monitor traders who made sales and thereafter they will go to such traders for settlement.
It was learnt that when such traders refuse to give out certain percentage of the money for sold goods, they will be outrightly  robbed of the whole money in the presence of other traders.
It was learnt that the security of the market was compromised following the killing of the a trader during the demolition of Odo Aladura popularly known as Bakassi market.
During the period of the crises, factions hired some cult groups for violence which then turned to ‘dreaded tigers’ and took over the market.
The factions that brought them into the market became helpless and their lives were said to in danger.
When our reporter contacted the LACEC president, Comrade Kinsley Ogunor, he was said have gone to court and his phone was switched off.
However, the executives present who did not want their names mentioned admitted that the groups has actually invaded the market.
When asked what they intend to do, they said it was left for Ogunor to give them direction and the traders will follow him.
Some of the traders who spoke to P.M.EXPRESS said they were in real trouble in the market as these cults boys have intimidated the traders.
One of the traders said even some customers do not come to the market to patronise them again because of extortion and robbery going on in the market.
It was also learnt that the police appeared helpless because the cult groups have shown readiness to attack the police.
Efforts to contact the Lagos Police Public Relation Officer proved abortive as his phones were switched off.
Traders were appealing to the Lagos State government and the Commissioner of Police to intervene and save them from the strong hands of these cult groups.