Economy
Traders Devastated as Lagos Govt Demolishes 19 Buildings at Trade Fair Plaza
Traders at the popular Trade Fair Complex in Lagos have raised strong objections after the Lagos State Government demolished no fewer than 19 buildings at the New Mandela Plaza.
The demolition, which was carried out on Thursday under heavy security presence, sparked anger among shop owners, many of whom alleged they were not served prior notice. This report was obtained from Punch.
Convoys of trucks from the Lagos State Task Force, Rapid Response Squad, and other tactical teams stormed the complex, restricting access to the premises. Traders who attempted to capture the exercise were dispersed by stern-looking officers.
By the time of filing this report, several structures worth billions of naira had already been reduced to rubble. Many distraught traders said they were left stranded as goods still locked inside their shops were destroyed along with the buildings.
One trader lamented: “We don’t even know the reason for the demolition. That’s why you see people moving up and down, asking questions.”
Another speculated that the buildings were marked for being too close to a canal, while others insisted they had federal approval.
Chief Magnus Ike, CEO of Magnus Merchandise, expressed shock as he watched his multi-billion-naira investment crushed. He said:
“Honestly, I have not been served any notice from the Lagos State Government whatsoever. The only notices we get here are from the Federal Government, and we comply. This building was inspected. Even the Ministry of Environment has been here. If there is any problem, the proper thing is to notify us. You don’t just let people borrow bank money, take loans, and then crush their investment overnight.”
His younger brother, Magnus Ikenna, also condemned the demolition, alleging the traders were tear-gassed before the bulldozers rolled in.
“This is what somebody used years to build. Many of us borrowed from banks. Now look, how do we repay? Government should come to our aid before people start dying of heart attack.”
Defending the exercise, Jubril Gawat, Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, confirmed the demolition in a post on X. He stated that the action targeted “illegal developments, structures without statutory approvals, defective structures, and buildings erected on road setbacks and drainages.”
According to Gawat; “The Lagos State Government can no longer fold its arms while unapproved developments block critical infrastructure and endanger lives.”
The exercise was jointly carried out by the Ministry of Physical Planning, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, and the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, with full security backup.
However, following outrage, the Lagos State Government later ordered a suspension of the demolition. Ongoing constructions at the plaza have also been halted pending further review. Market leaders and state officials are expected to reconvene on Tuesday next week to resolve the matter.
