Kwara shuts major market as hoodlums, security operatives clash
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.
Abiodun Abdulkareem Olatunji Ibrahim David Oyerinola Adedunmoye Abdul-Rasheed Na\'Allah Lafia Aliyu Korasabi Ojo Isekuse KWACOBPA Muyiwa Oladipo Kanu Omotoso Peter Obi Bello Oyebanji Share/Tsaragi Samuel Adaramola Hausa Toyin Falola Raliat Elelu-Habeeb Ijagbo Bashirat Bola Bello Umar Gunu Oloye MATTA Girls Foundation Muazam Nayaya Agboola Babatunde Saliu Ajia Odolaye Aremu NSCIA Yahaya Seriki Mubarak Oladosu Yetunde Balogun Awoye Mohammed Jimoh Faworaja Aisha Gobir Kayode Issa Moses Salami Asa LGEA School Ilesha-Gwanara Democracy Day Oba Mogaji Abdulkadir Association Of Kwara State Online Media Practitioners Ahmed Shuaib Buranga Fatimat Saliu Playing Host Modibbo Kawu Kwara Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations Kwara Mohammed Tunde-Jimoh Stephen Fasakin Owo Arugbo Omar Bolaji Gambari Titus Suberu-Ajibola Madawaki Shehu Alimi Foundation Ramat Oganija Jimoh Olusola Imam Bolakale Kawu Federal Allocation Niyi Ogundiran Peter Amogbonjaye Kabir Shagaya Ilorin Emirate Stakeholders Forum Saliu Oluwole Raji Ayodele Kamaldeen John Kehinde Salako Oloje Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Umar Danladi Shero Government High School (GHS), Adeta Tosho Yaqub Isiaka Rafiu Mope Suleiman Abubakar Senior Staff Union Of Colleges Of Education NIRSAL LABTOP Umar Yakubu Jaja Okoolowo Akorede Segun Adeniyi

