Kwara shuts major market as hoodlums, security operatives clash

Date: 2023-03-27

Kwara state Government has ordered the immediate shutting of Mandate Market in Ilorin following Saturday's skirmishes in the major trading centre.

Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Malam Ibrahim Akaje, stated in Ilorin on Saturday that the market would be re-opened on Monday.

“Government has restored normalcy to the market after the initial tension and opportunist attacks by hoodlums on peoples' properties.

“Government hereby directs temporary closure of the market for security reasons pending resolution of some issues that triggered the disturbances.

“Government commends the prompt response of security agencies to distress calls from shop owners. We warn against further trouble from any quarters.

“The market and activities of everyone involved therein are regulated by laws, which must be respected by all,'' he stated.

Scores of people were injured in the skirmishes as law enforcement agents and suspected shop breakers clashed at the market on Saturday.

Some shop owners had complained to security agencies that petty traders, guards, cleaners or load carriers who resided in the market always broke into the shops in the night.

Police operatives consequently raided the market and arrested some suspects whose kinsmen insisted must be released, a situation which degenerated into the fracas between them and the operatives.

Police operatives had to fire teargas canisters to disperse the mob which had gathered to attack the operatives and shop owners who lodged the complaints.

Following the free-for-all, shop owners quickly closed for business and fled.

Motorist plying the route on which the market is located had to make detours so as not to be caught in the imbroglio.

A reinforcement of security operatives including the police, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were despatched to the market to bring the situation under control.

Spokesman of the NSCDC in Kwara, Mr Ayeni Olasunkanmi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the fracas was an aftermath of a raid earlier carried out by the police.

“It was the aftermath of a raid carried out by the police in the market because of complaints from shop owners that some people regularly broke into their shops at night.

“Kinsmen of the arrested suspects insisted that the police must release those arrested.

“The situation there is under control. Other sister agencies are there to ensure that the situation remains calm,'' he said.

Police spokesman in Kwara, SP Okasanmi Ajayi, also told NAN that the breach of public peace in the market was caused by “a misunderstanding between two groups of tomatoes and pepper sellers.

“No casualty has been recorded in the fracas so far,'' he said.

(NAN)




 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Kola Ologbondiyan     Hassan Oyeleke     Iyeru Grammar School     Kulende-UITH     Riskat Opakunle     Lanre Olosunde     Iyiola Oyedepo     Gwanara     Lawan     NaAllah     Adamu Ibrahim Sabi     Sherif Shagaya     Wahab Agbaje     Yoonus Lawal     Kola Olota     Kwara Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations     Mutawali Of Ilorin     Lai Mohammed     Sodiya     College Of Health     Tunji Oyawoye     Musa Abdullahi     Salman Jawondo     Olokoba     Omoniyi     Ilorin Emirate     The Herald     Sayomi     Idiagbon     Issa Baba     Muhammed Abdullahi     Yusuf Lanre Badmus     Babatunde Ajeigbe     Adeleke Ogungbe     Kwara State Printing And Publishing Corporation     Onilu     Adamu Attah     Alfa Belgore     Micheal Imodu-Ganmo Road     Amos Justus Sayo     Rebecca Olanrewaju     Olabode George Towoju     Lithium Deposit     Oniyangi     Saba Jibril     Stephen Fasakin     Colleges Of Education Academic Staff Union     Abdulmumini Jawondo     Damilola Yusuf     University Road     Elesie Of Esie     Age AbdulKareem     Adanla-Irese     Lola Ashiru     Kwara Politics     Kwara Metro Park     Saraki     Ahman Pategi University     Mustapha Olanipekun     Adijat Adebiyi     AGILE Programme     KW-GIS     KWASAA     Galadima     Elerin Of Adanla Irese     KWACOBPA     Clement Yomi Adeboye     Ojo Fadumila     Ilorin Curfew     Gani Saadu     Ado Bayero     Ganiyu Abolarin     Emmanuel Olatunji Adesoye     Ibikunle Ogunleye     Salihu Jibril Garbi     Federal Polytechnic Offa     Olomu    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Odolaye Aremu     Ibrahim Oniye     AbdulHakeem Ajibola Akanbi     Mohammed Ibrahim     Shuaib Abdulkadir     Facemasks     Alimi     Florence Saraki     Akom Construction And Engineering Synergy Ltd     Umar Gunu     Amos Bajeh     Abdulmumini Sanni Jawondo     Dumagi     Tunji Arosanyin     Ilesha-Baruba     Oro Grammar School Old Students Association     Damilola Yusuf     GANZY     Abdulganiyu AbdulAzeez     Madawaki     Kwara State Polytechnic     Kwara State Branch Of The National Library     Adijat Adebiyi     Sa\'adatu Modibbo-Kawu     Kawu Baraje     George Innih     Sai Kayi     Akeem Lawal     Micheal Imodu-Ganmo Road     Yemi Osinbajo     Ayobami Akanbi     Biliaminu Aliu     Share/Tsaragi     Mohammed Ghali Alaaya     Garment Factory     Osi     Afin Descendants Union Of Odo-Owa     Mahfouz Adedimeji     Segun Abifarin     Kwara State Sports Commission     Wakilin Mata Lafiagi     Abatemi Usman     Ilorin Emirate Staff Association     Suleiman Yahya Alapansapa     Abdulraheem Yusuf     Tanke     Binta Sulyman     Kwara Central     Vasolar Consortium     Hakeem Idris     Jawondo     Oja-Oba     Segun Adeniyi     KWIRS     Oke-Oyi     Muritala Awodun     Chemiroy Nigeria Limited     Isiaka Yusuf     National Union Of Road Transport Workers     Tafida Of Kaiama     Jumoke Gafar     Olaiya Victor Mobolaji     Aliyu Adebayo     Folorunsho Alao     Ajayi Okasanmi     Oba Abdulrahim     Lawan     Ishak Mohammed Sabi     Babajide Ajayi     AbdulRazaq Jiddah     Pius Abioje     GGDSS Pakata     Colleges Of Education Academic Staff Union     Ganiyu Abolarin     Pakata Patriots     IF-K     Kwara Poly