Following Saturday morning’s skirmishes in the state capital of Ilorin, the Kwara State Government has ordered the closure of the Mandate Market.
According to a statement issued in Ilorin by the Honourable Commissioner for Business, Innovation, and Technology, Mallam Ibrahim Akaje, the market will reopen on Monday at 8 a.m.
The state police command spokesman, Okasanmi Ajayi, claimed that the fracas broke out between tomatoes and pepper traders, while the spokesman of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Ayeni Olasunkanmi, claimed that trouble broke out when a group of people of Northern origin demanded the release of their kinsmen arrested for alleged nighttime burglary of shops in the market complex.
Scores of people were injured in the ensuing clash between the police and the Hausa group, prompting police officers to use tear gas to bring the situation under control.
Paul Odama, the state Police Commissioner, dispatched teams of police operatives to the market to maintain law and order.
“Even though the government has restored normalcy to the market following the initial tension and opportunist attacks by hoodlums on people’s properties, the government hereby directs temporary market closure for security reasons pending resolution of some issues that had triggered the disturbances,” the Commissioner for Business, Innovation, and Enterprise said in a statement.
“The government commends the security agencies’ prompt response to the distress calls,” he said. We caution against further trouble from any source. The market and the activities of everyone involved in it are governed by laws that must be followed by all.
“The market will reopen on Monday, and efforts to resolve all outstanding issues have begun.”
