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Alaba Rago Market Demolition |
Northern broadcasters urge President Tinubu to intervene in the demolition of Alaba Rago Market in Lagos, citing N20bn losses and alleged marginalization.
Background of the Alaba Rago Market Demolition
The demolition of Alaba Rago Market in Lagos State has sparked outrage among Northern traders and stakeholders. The Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners Forum (ABMPF) has described the move as an “onslaught” against Northerners and called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene urgently.
According to the forum’s chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Yelwa, the demolition not only destroyed shops but also razed places of worship, including 40 mosques, without proper notice or due process.
Alleged Economic and Social Impact
Reports from affected traders reveal staggering damages estimated at over ₦20 billion, leaving thousands of Northerners without a source of livelihood.
Key points from the ABMPF statement include:
- Over 10 hectares of land demolished, affecting one of Nigeria’s oldest trading hubs.
- Thousands of displaced traders with no alternative relocation plan.
- 40 mosques destroyed, disrupting community religious life.
- The market had served as a major commercial hub for over eight decades, predating Nigeria’s independence.
For decades, Alaba Rago Market has been a vital link between Lagos and Northern Nigeria, fostering trade and cultural integration. Its sudden demolition, the group argues, undermines this historic relationship.
Accusations of Marginalization
The ABMPF accused the Lagos State Government of treating Northerners as squatters despite their decades-long presence and contribution to the state’s economy.
“While Yorubas live peacefully and are well integrated into Northern communities across Kaduna, Katsina, and other states, Northerners in Lagos are being treated as outsiders,” the statement noted.
The forum further alleged that the demolition was an attempt to “Yorubanize Lagos” by forcefully ejecting Northerners and Easterners from economic strongholds.
Calls for Federal Government and Leaders’ Intervention
The Arewa group appealed directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to halt what it termed “unconstitutional actions” and ensure justice for the displaced community.
The group also urged:
- Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to reverse the decision, provide adequate compensation, and initiate relocation plans.
- Northern governors, lawmakers, and traditional rulers to intervene and defend the rights of their people in Lagos.
- Political leaders nationwide to protect the principle of peaceful coexistence in Nigeria’s diverse communities.
For updates on policies affecting trade and governance in Nigeria, you can visit the Central Bank of Nigeria and the National Assembly website.
The Alaba Rago Market demolition has intensified debates about unity, equity, and the treatment of ethnic groups in Nigeria’s commercial capital. While the Lagos State Government insists modernization efforts are behind the demolition, affected traders and the Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners Forum see it as a violation of rights and a deliberate marginalization of Northerners.
The situation now hinges on whether the Federal Government, under President Tinubu’s leadership, will intervene to protect livelihoods and promote peaceful coexistence.
