The Lagos State Government has been accused of deliberately demolishing the Owode- Onirin International market in what was described as a “conspiracy at the highest order.”
The State government was accused by the Owode-Onirin International Spare Part Dealers Association.
The Traders briefing the Press on Wednesday at a Media Parley said they decided to convene with the Press in order to clear the air regarding a particular statement made by the Commissioner of Police who paid a visit to the Market on January 30, 2026
The Police Chief had earlier refuted the claims that the State Government did not carry out any demolition but Land Grabbers did.
Addressing the Press, Mr. Abiodun Hameed, a Representative of the Market Dealer Association described the Statement of the Police Boss as misleading and inconsistent with facts available to the traders and therefore should be disregarded. In his words, Mr. Abiodun Hammed said “ it is an understatement and does not reflect the facts and evidence in our possession,” “The Owode-Onirin market was demolished by the Lagos State Government, with all the ramifications.”
Going down memory lane, Hammed said the Market had since existed for over 60 years, adding that the Site was given to them by a former Lagos State Governor who formally relocated the market to its current location in 1979 after the government required their previous site.
The Spokesman went on to state that until about two years ago when they started being troubled during the tenure of Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area, Chairman Mr. Dele Osinowo “we have remained law-abiding citizens, carrying out our trading activities peacefully and paying all required dues and taxes to government agents,”.
In his words, Hammed said “That period marked the beginning of sustained pressure on the market, which eventually led us to process documents with the State government,” adding that “The land was originally allocated by a former Governor and later reconfirmed with a Certificate of Occupancy dated August 1, 2024.”
According to the Traders, the demolition involved officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, the Lagos State Task Force, Kick Against Indiscipline, the Nigerian Army and the Police, with hundreds of fully armed officers present.
“This operation was carried out at the highest level,” Hameed said. “The machinery used belonged to the state Government, not land grabbers.”