AREWA COHESION CONDEMNS DEMOLITION OF ALABA RAGO MARKET, DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR NORTHERN TRADERS
AREWA COHESION CONDEMNS DEMOLITION OF ALABA RAGO MARKET, DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR NORTHERN TRADERS
The Arewa Cohesion for Peace, Unity and Development Initiative (ACPUDI) has strongly condemned the demolition of the Alaba Rago Market in Lagos State, describing the action as unjust, insensitive, and a direct attack on Northerners, particularly the Hausa trading community.
In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Ambassador Sanin Yaya, the group said the demolition disregards decades of hard work and resilience by Northern traders who transformed the market into one of the largest livestock and commodity hubs in Nigeria.
“For years, Hausa traders and other Northerners built Alaba Rago from scratch into a thriving commercial hub that has contributed immensely to Lagos’ economy. Their sweat, enterprise, and dedication sustained countless families and strengthened the state’s revenue. To demolish this market without proper compensation or relocation is unacceptable and a grave injustice,” the statement read.
Arewa Cohesion urged Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to urgently provide a suitable alternative location for the displaced traders. The group also called for immediate compensation and resettlement measures to mitigate the huge economic and social losses suffered by the affected families.
The statement further stressed that actions of this nature could create the impression of ethnic targeting. It reminded Lagos authorities that Northerners have coexisted peacefully in the state for decades and contributed significantly to its development.
“Here in the North, no Yoruba man or woman is harassed or denied the right to own businesses, shops, or land. Yorubas thrive in Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Maiduguri, and across the North without fear of demolition or discrimination. Why then should Hausa people, who have made Lagos their home for decades, be treated differently?” the group queried.
Arewa Cohesion concluded by warning that injustice in any part of the country undermines national unity and harmony. It called for fairness, inclusivity, and respect for the dignity of all Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic or regional background.
