Traders at Oduduwa Model Market Protest Against Eviction Attempts in Lagos

Traders at the Oduduwa Model Market in Ladipo, Mushin, Lagos State, have protested what they call an attempted eviction from their market. Led by their Chairman, Samuel King Olatunde, the traders argue that they built their warehouses using their own money after a fire incident in 2017 and have been paying their rent on time.

The conflict began after a change in management in 2023. Olatunde claims the new management, led by Mr. Komolafe, raised the yearly rent from around 600,000 Naira to 4 million Naira. Although the traders attempted to negotiate a lower rent, the discussions led to a prolonged dispute. Eventually, they agreed to pay between 1 million and 1.5 million Naira after intervention from local government officials, but disagreements continued.

Olatunde alleges that the management has locked their warehouses, restricted access to their goods, and even involved the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) to mark the premises for eviction. Tensions escalated when materials like granite and sand were dumped on their goods, raising fears that their warehouses might be demolished.

Olatunde is calling for urgent intervention from the Mushin Local Government and the Lagos State government to prevent the situation from worsening.

In response, Mr. Komolafe stated that the protesting traders are no longer considered tenants, as they are only about 20 individuals out of roughly 250 who are unhappy with the new rent. He explained that the management took over the market in January 2023 and provided six months of free rent to those who were dissatisfied. According to him, those who accepted the new terms have continued to pay their rent without issues. He added that the latest protest was sparked by a notice from LASBCA about the condition of some structures in the market, which may lead to demolition.