Computer village traders protest against harassment, extortion by market leaders

TRADERS and members of the Community Development Association ( CDA) at Computer Village, Ikeja yesterday shut the commercial hub to protest against alleged exploitation and highhandedness of the Iyaloja and Babaloja of the market.

They alleged that since the imposition of the Iyaloja, Abimbola Azeez, and Babaloja, Adeniyi Olasoji, by the Iyaloja- General, Folashade Tinubu- Ojo, there had been a complete disregard for existing associations, introduction of new levies and persistent changes in rules by the new market leaders. Vice Chairman of Ogunbiyi CDA and chairman Coalition Association in Computer Village ( COCOVI), Timi Davies, said the latest harassment occurred on Saturday when the Iyaloja brought hoodlums to destroy the security gate being erected to stop thieves from breaking into their stores.

On his part, Public Relations Officer of the Commercial Hub, Ademola Olaifa, said it was time the Iyaloja General reconsidered the appointment of the Iyaloja and Babaloja of computer village. “Since their appointment, it has been various degree of victimization, extortion and bullying. They send their boys ( hoodlums) to beat up people almost every day and even harass our customers. We contributed money to install the entrance gate in Idowu lane, after the completion, the Iyaloja and Babaloja with their hoodlums came to destroy the work and took the gate away.

Reacting, the Iyaloja, Abimbola Azeez, stated that the intention of erecting the gate was to stop her from entering the market. “They cannot stop us from entering the Idowu Lane, and that is why I involved the police to stop them.”

The lingering face- off between the traders and market leaders had attracted the Lagos State House of Assembly attention but the lawmakers’ intervention was stalled by the Federal Government- imposed lockdown on Lagos to stop further spread of coronavirus.