Traders plying their trade in Aigbaju market, Akindeko, parts of Fakunle and Aregbesola areas of Osogbo have lamented the attack by faceless operatives.
DAILY POST reported that some unknown persons, said to be from the Osun Ministry of Commerce, attacked kiosks and shops along public footpaths in Osogbo, the state capital, early Thursday morning.
Taofik Ibrahim, a trader, told DAILY POST about the alleged attack that he had been informed by Ministry of Commerce officials to relocate to Aygbaju market, but he had no idea that the government would attack him without giving him a chance to relocate. said.
Another trader, Sukrat Abubakar, said that despite being alerted, he took steps to resolve the issue.
“When we came here, we were asked to pay N200 a month for the use of this space.
“After paying, I received some receipts as proof of payment.
“When we were contacted by the ministry officials, we went to the state house where Speaker Adewale Egbedan encouraged us to stay there as the issue would be resolved.”
Abubakar lamented that he had just heard that his shop had been destroyed early Thursday morning.
“The Speaker heard of our plight and came here and immediately condemned this action.
“He called the Secretary of Commerce, who denied knowledge of the development.
“However, a director of the ministry said he was aware of this development.”
She appealed to the public and the state government to come to their aid as these are poor traders trying to make a living.
In response, the state government ordered an investigation into the night raids on vendors and the removal of stalls.
The state Department of Commerce and Department of Environment also denied that their officials were involved in the raid.
In a statement signed by the Osun State Governor’s Press Secretary, Mr. Olawale Rasheed, he disclosed that ministries have standard guidelines for enforcing government regulations.
“In this case, government agencies do not have provisions to enforce regulations at night. Therefore, these unidentified persons are in no way employees or agents of the state.
“The governor then directed the Commissioner of Commerce and Industry and the Commissioner of Environment to investigate this matter and take immediate corrective action.”
Source: dailypost.ng