Victor EzejaMajor markets in Lagos are currently closed as protesters march in various locations in the state.
Prime Business Africa reports that the people have converged on different locations in the state for the #EndBadGovernance protests.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelMajor markets in Lagos Island, Ladipo, Computer Village, Mile 12, and Owode among others are deserted and businesses shut. Most business owners decided to remain at home due to fears of potential violence, looting, and concerns for their personal safety.
Ifeanyi Okoro, a jewelry dealer at Idumota Market said that fears of security breaches made him stay home. He added that traders in the market were advised to remain at home. “I decided to remain at home today for security reasons. Secondly, it announced in the market that traders should not come to market today.” He said the market has a history of violence and there are miscreants who are ready at any slight provocation to cause chaos, destroy things, and loot people’s wares.
“We are watching to see how the outcome of today will be,” Okoro added.
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Sunday, a trader at Ladipo spare parts market, said he went out for business but many places were locked, prompting him to go back.
Onyeka Onyeke, a trader at Owode market, said very few people are in the market and nothing is happening. “Nothing is happening here now. Everywhere is peaceful but no business activity going on. We are just sitting down chatting and drinking,” Onyeke told Prime Business Africa correspondent via telephone.
At Computer Village, the story is the same as shops were locked. Chibueze Ogbaje, a laptop computer and accessories dealer in the market said: “the road is free but all entries to the market are locked, nobody is allowed to enter the market.”
Mr Ogabje said the market management officials are trying to prevent any form of security breaches in the market that could lead to destruction and looting. He said there are expectations that the market would open on Friday for business activities to resume if no skirmish is recorded.
Also, at Mile 12 market, shops were closed. Maureen Eke, who manages a business in the market, said: “Since morning many shops in this area have been closed, even the ones in the streets.”
Meanwhile, some protesters reportedly marched in some places in Ikeja and were advancing to the Lagos State Governor’s Office in Alausa despite court orders restricting them to Ketu and Ojota parks. However, they were redirected to Ojoto, a resident in the area told Prime Business Africa.
Also, at the Lekki tollgate, there is heavy security presence as protesters gathered. Police reportedly fired teargas at some of the protesters at the Lekki tollgate. A video shared on X (formerly Twitter) showed officers of the Nigeria Police using rounds of teargas to disperse protesters at the tollgate.
Also, banks, eateries, fuel stations, superstores, and a couple of other businesses were closed.
The nationwide protest is scheduled to take place from 1st to 10th August. The exercise is in response to rising cost of living and economic hardship in the country.
According to information on EiE website, there are designated protest locations across the country. For Lagos, the listed locations are: Government Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja under bridge, Kudirat Abiola way, Ikeja, and Lekki Toll Gate.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had earlier said there was no need to embark on protest, stressing that it will not solve Nigeria’s economic problems. He warned that the state government would not allow a repeat of what happened during the #EndSARS protest.
Other states with specific locations listed on the website where protesters can converge include Abuja, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Edo, Enugu, Plateau, Oyo, and Rivers. The protest is to take place between 9am and 6 pm every day.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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