Anarchy Looms At Alaba Market

THE popular Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos, may have its peaceful rhythm punctured if the crisis brewing at its Fancy and Furniture Section is not quickly and amicably checked.

The leadership of the Care Taker Committee of the Fancy and Furniture Market Association, headed by Chief Maduka Arubaraezeama, has alerted the public to the activities of some people he described as agents of darkness who he said are bent on destabilising the peace of the market.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Monday June 22, made available to Daily Independent, Maduka restated his resolve not allow this to happen, even as he called on well-meaning Nigerians to intervene in the market crisis before the matter got out of hand.

He accused some self-styled ‘godfathers’ of using the machinery of the state such as the police and the State Security Service (SSS) to allegedly intimidate and terrorise traders.

He said that the recent decision by these ‘godfathers’ to traverse the length and breath of the market, sealing off and closing up the traders’ shops was a recipe for confusion and anarchy and should be stopped as the actions were unauthorised by the Care Taker Committee.

He reminded them that the Electoral Committee in which they served had longed been dissolved by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Market Association, Chief Alex Emechebe.

Maduka advised the ‘godfathers’ to learn to appreciate the rule of law and duly constituted authority, noting that traders in the market are peace-loving and should be allowed to go about their businesses without any form of disturbance and molestation.

He wondered why the Area ‘E’ Police Command should come into the fray and appoint a new Care-Taker Committee Chairman for the market while the matter was being resolved.