Traders lament N500m loss to Ile- Epo market crises
• Hausa community denies stopping Tomatoes inflow, begins registration of members
Mleaders, yesterday, lamented that they lost goods worth over N500 million in the crises, which erupted last week at the IleEpo Market, in the Abule Egba area of Lagos State.
The Guardian learnt that the crisis began when a member of the Arewa Community placed a bet and won N14, 000, but was paid N12, 000 by the shop owner identified as a Yoruba man.
The demand for the difference soon degenerated into conflict between the two parties.
According to the traders, while the leaders were intervening in the dispute, the Hausa man whose identity is
still unknown went and mobilised his members, who are said to be living in Bola ( Landfill) in Ile- Epo.
The group, it was reported came out with guns to scare the traders away before attacking them with clubs.
As a result of the crisis, both parties allegedly destro yed trucks of oranges, tomatoes and looted kegs of palm oil, thousands of coconuts, fridges, foodstuffs, generators and fans in the market. When The Guardian visited
the market yesterday, it was discovered that the traders are gradually returning to the market while others were discussing in clusters about the losses during the crises. Chairman, Perishable Goods Dealer Association, Iso- Oko
Section, Ile- Epo Market, Jimoh Nurudeen, said goods and property worth over N500 million were lost to the incident, while a lot of people are still in the hospital receiving treatment.
According to him, the miscreants looted goods, robbed people and set their Lorries and shops ablaze.
He said: “We have had crises before in the market but not of this magnitude.
“Those living on Bola have been our source of worry. They have dangerous weapons. Ile- Epo Divisional Police Officer ( DPO) was unable to access the place when he was called to arrest the perpetrators.
“The chairman, Agbado/ Oke Odo Local Council Development Area ( LCDA), David Famuyiwa, cannot do it alone. We need the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo- Olu to assist us with the Task Force and the Rapid Response Squad ( RRS) to flush out miscreants in the landfill.