Panic gripped residents and traders of the popular Ojoo market in the Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State as the government demolished scores of shops and kiosks in the area, on Thursday.

The PUNCH gathered that the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development had served the traders quit notice a long time ago but they refused to move out of the market.

The Chairman of the market,  Muhdeen Ganiyu, fondly called Elewedu, however, told our correspondent that the quit notice was too short but the executive members of all the affected markers would meet after the demolition exercise.

“The quit notice was too short. All executive members of all the affected markers will soon meet. So, I cannot say anything for now,” he stated.

When contacted, the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Williams Akin-Funmilayo,  confirmed the ongoing demolition exercise.

He said, “The State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had gone there personally to address them. The government will provide another place. That place is dangerous. And the new place is not far. Just at the front of the Barracks.”

More pictures from the demolition:

One of the demolished shops. PHOTO CREDIT: Ademola Adegbite

Ibadan market

Ibadan market

Details later…