Pandemonium as hoodlums destroy shops, goods worth millions in Akure

By Boye Oyeyemi

Traders and artisans at the popular FUTA Junction area of Akure, Ondo State, were thrown into distress on Tuesday after suspected hoodlums allegedly demolished several business premises and destroyed goods valued at millions of naira.

Witnesses said about 20 men stormed the area with bulldozers and pulled down shops housing provisions, food items, household goods, bottled water and other merchandise.

When journalists visited the scene, many affected traders were seen lamenting their losses and appealing to the government and well-meaning Nigerians for assistance.

One of the victims, Mrs Helen Chidinma, said several goods were either taken away or crushed during the demolition exercise, leaving many traders stranded.

She explained that the occupants had received a quit notice about three months ago from a man claiming ownership of the property, but their landlord had advised them to forward the notice to his lawyer while dismissing the claim.

According to her, another notice was later served, after which the claimant allegedly threatened to demolish the structures if the occupants failed to vacate the premises. She added that the matter was reported to the police before the demolition took place.

Another trader, Seyi Jonathan, attributed the crisis to a prolonged ownership dispute over the land, noting that different parties had laid claim to the property over the years and that the matter had previously been the subject of litigation.

The affected occupants appealed to the Ondo State Government and the state’s anti-land-grabbing committee, headed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, to intervene and prevent further losses arising from the dispute.