A significant portion of the popular Alaba Rago market was demolished in a series of exercises that began on Saturday, August 16, and continued for several days. The demolition, which has left hundreds of families and thousands of traders without homes or a source of livelihood, has sparked widespread anger and condemnation from victims and human rights groups. According to reports from affected individuals, the demolition was carried out a month into a six-month notice, a move that has been described as insensitive and a violation of due process.
The Alaba Rago market, a well-known commercial hub, has existed for about five decades and is dominated by traders of northern extraction. It has long been a vital hub for food, livestock, and scrap metal, serving as a key distribution point for goods entering Lagos from neighboring West African countries. Over the years, the market evolved into a full-fledged community with residential shanties, shops, and an informal banking system. For many, the market was not just a place of business but also their home.
According to a statement from the Lagos State government’s task force that carried out the demolition, the exercise was conducted to remove shanties and illegal structures. The government claimed that a removal notice had been issued after an earlier one was served in May 2022. However, victims and human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have disputed this claim, stating that the authorities showed “contempt for the rule of law” by proceeding with the demolition before the notice had expired.
The demolition has resulted in substantial losses for traders, with properties and goods worth millions of naira destroyed. Many residents were left injured after being tear-gassed while trying to salvage their belongings, and some have been forced to sleep in the open. The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has also expressed concern over the incident, calling it a “significant loss to thousands of Nigerians.” The forum has urged the government to provide immediate relief and support to the affected individuals.
