The Lagos State Government has demolished the popular Alaba Rago Market, a commercial hub largely occupied by Northern Nigerian traders, bringing an abrupt end to over five decades of trading activity at the site.
Bulldozers moved into the market earlier this week, pulling down hundreds of shops and structures, including more than 40 mosques used by traders and residents in the area. The state government said the action was necessary to address urban congestion, disorderly expansion, and security concerns, noting that the market had extended far beyond its original boundaries.
Traders, however, have condemned the demolition, alleging that they were not issued adequate notice before the exercise. Many expressed despair at losing both their businesses and places of worship overnight.
“We have spent over 50 years building this market. We suffered to establish our businesses here. Yet, in a single day, they came and demolished everything without any notice—40 mosques destroyed,” one distraught trader told reporters.
The demolition has triggered emotional reactions across the state, raising questions about compensation, resettlement, and the broader implications for ethnic relations in Lagos, where Northern traders have long formed a vital part of the city’s commercial ecosystem.
Civil society groups and community leaders have begun calling for dialogue between the Lagos State Government and affected traders, warning that the incident could strain inter-ethnic ties if not managed carefully.
As of press time, the government has not released a clear plan for compensation or relocation, leaving thousands of traders uncertain about their future livelihoods.
