Dozens Don Lose House, Property Destroy As Lagos Govt Demolish Costain Market

Dozens of traders don lose house and goods worth millions of naira don destroy on Thursday after Lagos State Government demolish di popular Costain Market. Di exercise carry out by joint enforcement team wey get Lagos State Task Force, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), under di supervision of Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transport, Mr Sola Giwa. Eyewitness talk say di operation start for early afternoon, as bulldozers and armed operatives storm di market, disperse traders and passersby with teargas, before rows of shops, makeshift stalls, and even nearby mosque demolish. Di sudden action cause wahala as traders rush to rescue dia wares from di debris.

Some traders talk say dem no get prior notice. One affected business owner, Mr Alfred Wisdom, wey dey produce snacks, yan say e lose over N5 million in cash and goods. E talk, “E happen around 1 p.m. I dey go Victoria Island for delivery when I see Task Force vehicles dey come. By di time I return, dem don break into my shop and carry away my sales. Dem talk say our businesses illegal. E dey heartbreak.” Wisdom also remember say demolition come few months after di destruction of Otumara community wey displace over 500,000 people. E add tearfully, “E be like say dem dey target us. We no get warning, no chance to carry our property.” As of press time, Lagos State Government never release official statement to explain di demolition or whether displaced traders go get compensation.