The Lagos State government, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is facing backlash following the demolition of over 500 shops at Owode Motor Spare Part Market, Owode Onirin. The demolition, carried out by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), has left traders devastated, with many calling for justice and urgent intervention.
The Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) has condemned the demolition, describing it as an unlawful invasion that threatens the livelihoods of thousands of traders. According to CHSR, the destruction occurred in the early hours of Thursday, March 6, 2025, when LASBCA officials, accompanied by police officers and armed thugs, stormed the market.
LASBCA was reportedly enforcing a court judgment against the neighboring Agbajoowo Market. However, traders claim that the agency wrongfully extended the exercise into Owode Market, leading to the widespread destruction of shops and goods worth billions of naira.
In a petition to Governor Sanwo-Olu, CHSR President Comrade Alex Omotehinse denounced the demolition as a “brazen act of land grabbing” that undermines economic stability in the state. He emphasized that Owode Market has been a key economic hub since its relocation from Lagos Island’s Jankara Market under former Governor Lateef Jakande in the early 1980s.
The traders also accused security operatives of unfairly targeting their association chairman, Comrade Abiodun Hammed. They allege that he was arrested, detained at FCID Alagbon, and later granted bail under stringent conditions, including a ban from the market and restrictions on his involvement in market affairs.
With the affected traders now struggling to rebuild their lives, CHSR has urged Governor Sanwo-Olu to take immediate action to rectify the situation and prevent further destruction. The organization insists that the traders deserve fair treatment and protection under the law.
“The Owode Motor Spare Part Market serves as a vital hub for countless families and businesses. This unjust demolition not only violates property rights but also endangers the economic stability of Lagos State,” CHSR stated in its appeal.
As tensions continue to rise, stakeholders are calling for an urgent resolution to prevent further hardship for traders and maintain peace in the state.
