Vows Of Resistance: Traders Fight Back A Year After Heartless Demolition

Vows Of Resistance: Traders Fight Back A Year After Heartless Demolition

One year after the demolition of the Police Officers’ Wives Association Shopping Complex in Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos, displaced traders are expressing frustration over their ongoing economic instability…READ MORE…

Tayo Shittu, chairman of the Computer Dealer Association (POWA Phase II), told PUNCH Metro on Monday that members of the association are still grappling with the aftermath of the demolition and are still seeking justice.

Shittu urged authorities and concerned citizens to assist in holding those responsible accountable for the demolition.

According to a report by PUNCH Metro on January 1, 2024, the traders were caught off guard when, on the night of December 30, 2023, multiple bulldozers and armed police officers arrived to carry out the demolition.

The affected traders condemned the demolition as “cruel and unjust,” alleging that it occurred while many property owners were away for the holiday season.

In a statement released on December 30, 2023, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force, stated that the demolition was necessary, as the complex had been officially allocated to the wives and family members of police officers. He insisted the demolition was to pave the way for the construction of a new modern shopping complex on the same site.

In his remarks on Monday, Shittu recounted the sleepless nights endured by traders following the unlawful destruction of both POWA Plaza Phases I and II, as well as the reported looting of IT products and equipment belonging to the plaza’s tenants.

“The events of December 30, 2023, marked a blatant abuse of power and flagrant violation of the rule of law at POWA Plaza Phases I and II in Computer Village, Ikeja. At around 11:30 p.m., roughly 300 heavily armed police officers, armed with tear gas and firearms, invaded the area and began demolishing the plazas,” he stated.

“The demolished plaza hosted numerous IT companies specializing in the sales and services of IT products, serving countless individuals and organizations. These small and medium enterprises (SMEs) contribute to the economy by paying federal and state taxes. As vital job creators, they deserve protection and support, not destruction overnight.”

Okeke Ifeanyi, chairman of the Computer Dealer Association (POWA Phase I) and another affected trader, voiced his distress over the demolition, asserting that it was executed without due process. He lamented that all attempts by the displaced traders to engage with the police had been met with intimidation and deception.

“As we review the significant damage inflicted upon our lives and businesses by this illegal demolition, which infringed upon our fundamental human rights as law-abiding citizens and business entities in Nigeria, we persist in our unwavering demand for justice, fairness, and adequate compensation for the unlawful destruction of our property and the theft of our IT equipment, including laptops and printers. All affected members have meticulously documented a record of their stolen items.”

As of this report, Adejobi has not yet responded to inquiries regarding whether the police would offer compensation to traders who lost their goods in the demolition.

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