Following the worrisiome insecurity in the market, the Oyo State government has expressed its readiness to enforce a ban on Sunday trading at the Bola Ige International Business Complex, popularly known as Gbagi Market, Ibadan.
The commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi, stated this on Thursday, in his Office at the Secretariat, Ibadan.
He explained that the ban would curb rising insecurity and restore order at the market, adding that the enforcement will take effect from Sunday, 27th July 2025.
He disclosed that the enforcement was the culmination of a series of consultations and meetings with market leaders and stakeholders.
Adebisi explained that criminal elements were increasingly exploiting the less crowded Sunday environment to perpetrate unlawful activities. This prompted renewed engagements with the market leadership after the government decided to formalise the ban and implement enforcement measures.
According to him, the ban on Sunday trading was originally instituted by the market leadership themselves, in a bid to maintain order and protect traders.
“However, some traders have continued to flout the directive, leading to a rise in insecurity concerns.
“We cannot fold our arms and allow the hard-earned reputation of this great market to be tarnished by the activities of a few criminally-minded individuals.
“After a careful review and collaboration with the market leaders, we all agreed that strict enforcement of the Sunday trading ban is a necessary step towards restoring sanity and safeguarding the lives and property of our traders and customers,” he said.
To ensure compliance, the commissioner announced that a dedicated task force would be deployed to the market every Sunday to prevent any form of trading or business activity.
He stressed that the enforcement is not a new directive but a government-backed measure to support the market’s existing policy and protect law-abiding traders.
The Commissioner added that market leaders and stakeholders have welcomed the government’s support and pledged their continued cooperation.
He emphasised that the safety of traders, customers, and their businesses remains paramount to this government.
