The Lagos State government has reportedly served a quit notice on the occupants of the renowned Alaba Rago International Market, Ojo. ayokinews.com reports
In recent years, the market has been regarded as a hub of illegal activity, including arms hoarding, robbery, child prostitution, and other types of crime.
Last Monday, officers from the Lagos State Police Command discovered a significant stockpile of rifles and ammunition at the market.
The Rapid Response Squad on Thursday said: “After several months of negotiation between Lagos State Government and representatives of the occupiers of Alaba Rago over the modernisation of the market, government through a joint team of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Lagos Taskforce, has given the occupants of Alaba Rago a 14-day ultimatum to vacate the market.”
“The joint team, which was led by Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi and Chairman, Lagos State Environment and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce), CSP Sola Jejeloye met the occupants of the market in clusters to inform them of the 14-day vacation order.”
The police tactical unit noted that “CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi stated that emerging security reports from the area have shown that Alaba Rago has become a den of criminals stressing that the state government has concluded plans to modernise the place in the shortest possible time in the best interest of the residents.”
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RRS further explained that “last week’s recovery of several guns in Alaba Rago by Ojo Police Division and the revelation by drug dealers that they regularly funnel drugs through the area to several parts of the state are the more reasons government needs to move swiftly to modernise the area for there to be orderliness.
“He noted that the demolition of the area is in conformity with government’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda on environment and security,” adding that the government is bothered by the shanties and the filthy conditions of the area, hence modernising it would be in the best interest of the occupiers.
According to the RRS, Egbeyemi pleaded with the occupants not to put racial or religious sentiments into the operation, stressing that Lagos State is a nexus for all Nigerians, regardless of religion, nationality, or tribe.
CSP Shola Jejeloye, the Task Force Chairman, stated that several talks with all important parties had been conducted in the past and that the destruction should have occurred during Ramadan.
He went on to say that the government was attentive enough to postpone it so that individuals who were traveling for Ramadan may be present.
After the 14-day deadline for inhabitants to vacate temporarily for cleaning and modernization, he declared that the team would not accept any more excuses from the squatters.
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