A devastating turn of events has unfolded in the Alaba Rago market area of Ojo, Lagos, where a 68-year-old woman, Alhaja Iyabo, has lost her life following the demolition of her shop and the loss of over N50 million in cash. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday morning when the Lagos State Government’s task force carried out a demolition exercise, leaving countless traders in a state of despair.
Alhaja Iyabo, a renowned dealer in rice and beans, suffered a heart attack after discovering that her weekend earnings, stored in a safe in her shop, had vanished during the demolition. The sudden loss of her life savings proved too much for her to bear, ultimately leading to her untimely demise.
Market leaders have estimated that the total losses incurred by traders in the demolition could reach a staggering N50 billion. The affected traders, including Alhaja Iyabo, had stored their weekend sales in safes within the market, intending to deposit the money in the bank on Monday. However, their plans were brutally cut short by the sudden demolition.
Mallam Ibrahim Hamad Namari, head of the cow dealers in Alaba Rago market, expressed outrage and sadness over the incident. “We received no prior notice of the demolition scheduled for Sunday morning. We kept our money in safes in our shops, intending to take it to the bank on Monday. By the time we reached the market, everything was gone. It was the shock of losing her money that led to Alhaja Iyabo’s death,” he lamented.
The state task force, led by CSP Shola Jejeloye, claimed that a removal notice was issued on May 15, following an earlier one on May 19, 2022. However, market leaders argue that the notice did not specify a start date for the demolition, leaving them unprepared for the sudden loss.
As the traders grapple with the aftermath of the demolition, the loss of Alhaja Iyabo’s life serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of such actions. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and calls for compensation for the affected traders.
