Following the demolition of some shops, traders at the New GbagiInternational Market, Ibadan, Oyo State, have declared that two of their members lost their lives while 27 were hospitalised.
The traders, under the auspices of the New Gbagi Petty Traders Association, Chairman Engineer Kolawole Oyewole, noted that the state government demolished some shops at the market.
Oyewole recalled that the traders had staged a peaceful protest at Olubadan palace earlier.
He used the opportunity to appeal to the Olubadan and Governor SeyiMakinde for intervention.
According to him, “Two of our members have lost their lives. 27 have been hospitalised since the demolition started on Sunday.
“Our people’s means of livelihood have been destroyed. We appeal to the Olubadan to help us stop them from further demolition. They should stop the ongoing work for better discussion”.
“They should pay for damages done to our goods. The remaining shop they are intending to demolish should stop.
“Nobody represents us; we represent ourselves. Therefore, nobody should be using our name to do anything again.
“We will be delighted and grateful if our demands are considered.”
Meanwhile, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Akinloye OwolabiOlakunlehin, has appealed to market traders to be patient and law-abiding in discharging their marketing activities, irrespective of provocation.
