Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has ordered the immediate reopening of the popular Sasha market, saying the decision was taken in the best interest of the traders and for peace and harmony between Yoruba and Hausa communities.
Makinde stated this on Tuesday when he had a meeting with the leaders of the two warring ethnic groups in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The popular market, dominated by Yoruba and Hausa traders, was shut down barely two weeks ago after the bloody clash that ensued following the death of a cobbler a day after an altercation between two traders.
Read Also: Yoruba/Hausa Clash: Oyo Govt Shuts Shasha Market, Imposes Curfew (Videos)
The Governor expressed;
Considering the economic situation and the peculiarities we have with us, we will immediately reopen the Sasha market. When my brother governors visited Seriki Sasha palace, while we were walking around, I realised that both the people I saw at the Seriki’s place and those I met at Baale’s place were not happy because they have been deprived of doing their job.
He stressed;
If you look at Oyo State, even when the COVID-19 was at its peak, I decided not to shut our market places because I know and also explained to the leadership of the country at the national level that, in our state, we have people that the proceeds from what they get today will determine if they will eat tomorrow or not.
Since peace has more or less returned to the market and the community, we have given the go-ahead that the market should be repealed. I have also given instructions for some palliative works to be done. I have instructed that solar light be installed in the market any time of the day or night, we will see what is going on in the market
Makinde directed that the annex of Shasha market that was established in Iroko during the crises should be shut, saying;
The Iroko market will remain shut. From what we heard, the promoters of that market were actually part of the people causing confusion and causing a problem at the Shasha market. We will take a long-term view of the Iroko market, but in the meantime, it remains shut.
The Governor added;
You can see the CP and the DIG, they are the ones maintaining the curfew. And, if they tell me peace has returned to the community, the curfew will also be lifted. But security agencies will still dominate the area.
MDB reported how the disagreement between a cart pusher and a stall owner at the Sasha market on Thursday, February 11, led to violence after a cobbler, Sakirudeen Adeola, who had his shed nearby, intervened on the side of the woman.
Adeola was attacked by the cart pusher and he died. It later led to riot as lives were lost and properties were destroyed.
To forestall lawlessness, Makinde ordered the closure of the market the next day and imposed a curfew in the community.
