Ladipo Market in Lagos demolished as traders deny notice by state government

Armed men and some security operatives working in collusion with the Mushin Local Government, stormed the popular Ladipo Auto Spare Parts Market, in the early hours of Tuesday, and demolished shops in and stalls in the area.

This is as traders and other property owners in the market denied being served with any eviction or warning notice by the Mushin local council or the state government over the exercise, in the same way as they were prevented from salvaging their wares during the demolition exercise.

Traders were also not allowed to get near the entrance into the market as tipper lorries were seen taking sand and gravel into the market to commence work after the demolition.

The chairman of the market and president of the central market union, Comrade Kingsley Ogunor said he was not informed before they came for the demolition which threw the entire market into confusion.

In front of the market gate was a banner which read: Proposed Commercial Development of Mushin, Lagos. It was also written on the banner that Mushin Local Government in conjunction with a developer known as Total Value Integrated Services Limited is to commence building a modern plaza market in place of  the present stalls being demolished, with a proposed completion date slated for 18 months.

Some of the traders expressed their surprise over the development, claiming they were not given any notice, nor was there any court judgment asking them to vacate the stalls, just as they threatened to protest this latest exercise by the Council, which they termed ‘illegal.’