The Lagos State Government today shut the popular auto spare parts market, Ladipo Market in Mushin area of Lagos, southwest Nigeria. Ten suspected Bakassi boys were also arrested during the closure of the market.
Officials of the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit stormed the market as early as 4.00a.m and shut it because it was filthy.
Last week, the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello visited the market and decried the wanton degradation of the environment and filthiness of the area and warned that if nothing was done, the market would be shut. The traders took government’s threat lightly and did nothing to remedy the situation.
Hundreds of fully armed taskforce officials led by its Chairman, Bayo Sulaiman, a Chief Superintendent of Police besieged the market and shut it down, with thousands of traders shut out.
The traders were dispersed by taskforce officials with several canisters of teargas.
They sud have given them notice of closure b4 they acted. A pity to those whose means of finance depends on it.