An urgent appeal has been made to top police authorities in Lagos State following an alleged invasion and demolition exercise at the Owode Motor Spare Parts Market this morning, reportedly accompanied by sporadic police shooting that left several traders injured.
Concerns are mounting over what appears to be a blatant disregard for a standing Lagos High Court order mandating *status quo* in a long-running land dispute.
Reports gathered indicate that a party identified as a “landgrabber” mobilised hundreds of thugs alongside numerous policemen to invade the bustling Owode Motor Spare Parts Market. Their alleged objective was to demolish shops within the market. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the accompanying policemen resorted to sporadic shooting, ostensibly to intimidate and disperse traders attempting to halt the destruction of their livelihoods.
“We reliably gathered that the landgrabber mobilized hundreds of thugs and policemen in their numbers to invade the Owode Motor Spare Parts Market this morning to demolish shops while the policemen were shooting sporadically to scare the traders from stopping the Landgrabber caterpillar from destroying their shops and has injured some traders,” a statement circulated on the incident read.
The incident is reportedly connected to an ongoing legal battle, suit No. ID/1757/1994, between B.I.Olowu vs Shomolu Local Government and Kosofe Local Government, which is currently pending before an Ikeja High Court. Crucially, it is alleged that a Lagos High Court order explicitly states for *status quo* to remain pending the determination of this suit, directly contradicting the actions witnessed today.
In light of the escalating situation, an urgent call has been made to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 2 and the Commissioner of Police (CP) Lagos Command to intervene immediately. The appeal urges them to “quickly call the policemen to order,” emphasising the critical need to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
“We hereby appeal to the Police authority to quickly address these issues as urgent to avoid the traders from taking the laws into their hands in the name of self-defence,” the appeal warned, highlighting the potential for further violence if the situation is not de-escalated.
Pictorial evidence of the demolition and alleged injuries to traders has reportedly been circulated, further underscoring the severity of the situation. Stakeholders are awaiting swift action from the police high command to restore peace and uphold the rule of law.
