Lagos Residents, Businesses Cautious, Preempt Post-election Violence

Residents and businesses in Lagos are envisaging post-election crisis and are currently being mindful of their business interaction, operating environment and movements within the state.

It was gathered that some offices, shopping malls, retail outlets, filling stations, supermarkets, merchandising stores and quick service restaurants have remained closed due to palpable fears and anxiety about the outcomes of the results.

Meanwhile, Novare Mall at Sangotedo has been locked since 5pm on Friday. ‘I heard they will not open until Tuesday, you remember what happened during End SARS,’ a source said. 

Also some merchandising stores like the Shoprite, JustRite and other supermarkets around Ogba and Ikeja axis maintained partial opening of their stores while envisaging the outcomes of the presidential polls.

There are growing fears about the hitherto busy streets and major retail outlets in Lagos State following reports of unrest as Nigerians await the outcome of the Presidential elections that were held a few days ago.

This has further heightened fears of violence following the declaration of the results at the various polling units in the state.

Checks by LEADERSHIP revealed that major markets and commercial hubs of Lagos metropolis were void of the usual activities that accompany these locations.

Speaking with business operators at the popular Computer Village in Ikeja, home of ICT (information and communications technology) accessories, it was gathered that most of the shops were locked while a few shop owners seen around expressed worries over the state of things in the country in the wake of the elections.

One of the shop owners who spoke on the condition of anonymity revealed that anxiety is growing within the market as news of unrest in other parts of Lagos leaves business owners to develop fear and tension

In his words: “we are afraid we might be attacked. We are hearing news of thugs destroying markets around. We are just here to see if we can make some sales today but the buyers are not coming. Some of our people are leaving now.”

Confirming to LEADERSHIP, a computer technician and phone accessory vendor, Seyi Amos, said: “we heard that they were burning somewhere at Ladipo spare part market and you know that our market is also an Igbo market. So, some of us were panicking. 

“We needed to close as early as possible. In my shop, we closed around 1:30pm when we heard the news, so we had to leave on time, should in case they want to attack us in Computer Village. Actually, we have not had any issue since I entered that market, I have not heard of anything like fighting or any issue. They don’t usually fight here.”

Other popular markets in Lagos like Katangwa and Ile-Epo markets that used to be a beehive of activities on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays witnessed a low turnout of buyers and sellers yesterday as they were unsure of their security. The market was attacked by thugs some weeks ago during the campaign season.

It was reported that violence erupted in different parts of Lagos State on the day of the election as thugs were seen intimidating voters as well as snatching ballot boxes in the various polling units.

Other areas such as Mafuluku, Amuwo Odofin, Oshodi, Surulere, Ijaiye, Ijaniki, Lagos State University (LASU) Iba, Iyana Shashi, Ikorodu, Fadeyi, Ojota,  Badagry, Sangotedo, and Lekki witnessed pockets of violence.

 While voting was disrupted in some polling units, voters were prevented from exercising their civic responsibilities in other locations.

It is four days after the elections, which was held on the 25th of February and the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) has not declared the winner of the Presidential polls. This has aggravated the tension and anxiety among Nigerians.