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.
Tsado Manman Patigi Regatta Yahaya Seriki Gambari Sidikat Akaje Tunji Moronfoye ASUU Yusuf Amuda Aluko Haruna Olawale Sulaiman Chartered Institute Of Personnel Management Of Nigeria Tunde Saad Kwara Restoration Project Omupo Rice Farmers Association Of Nigeria Olaiya Lawal KWASSIP Monsurat Omotosho Prince Bola Ajibola Ilesha-Gwanara John Olajide Adedipe Busari Alabi Alausa Otuka Muritala Olarewaju Vishvas KOZ Tractors Bukola Ajikobi Haleeman Salman Abubakar Baba Sulaiman Isiaka Yusuf COVID Olayinka Are AbdulRaheem Ahmad Shayi Suleiman Idris Dogara MATTA Girls Foundation Elekoyangan Lithium Law School Scholarship Bayer Nigeria Limited Aso Ofi Kwara Teaching Service Commission UNILORIN Alumni Association Of Kwara State Online Media Practitioners Abdulquowiyu Olododo Akande Idowu Ayoola Muhammed Kwara Elerin Of Erin-Ile Iyeru Grammar School Yomi Adeboye Ibrahim Abiodun Abubakar Bature Sulu-Gambari General Hospital, Offa JAMB Tunji Olawuyi Amina El-Imam Tafida Of Ilorin Yusuf Babatunde Abdulwahab Sodiya Saka Asiat Ayinke Kwara Pdp Mohammed Katsina Ahmed KWAFFA Abubakar Kawu Baraje Funmilayo Oniwa Haliru Yahaya Ballah 3MTT Musbau A. Akanji Allocation Femtech Yusuf Amuda Gobir Abikan Garuba Alikinla Shittu Apaola Nigeria Customs Service Bamidele Adegoke Moses Afolayan Aro Yahaya Suleiman Alege Kuranga

