The people of Iroko community in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State are currently groaning over the hardship occasioned by the continued closure of the market in their community by the state government.
Governor Seyi Makinde had ordered the closure of the Iroko market two months ago in the wake of the violent clash that rocked the Hausa/Yoruba communities in the popular Sasa market in Ibadan.
The head of Iroko community, Oba Ismail Abioye, urged Governor Makinde to consider the plight of the residents of the community whose survival depends on the market without further delay.
Security personnel, including men of the anti riot squad of the Nigeria Police have since been keeping vigil at the market to enforce the governor’s order. The monarch in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan on Sunday, said the economic activities of the community had been paralysed as a result of the market closure.
It read that “We did not allow the fleeing traders (from Sasa market) to stay in Iroko. Immediately they came, I ordered them back which was why they made the expressway their temporary market where they were disposing their wares before Sasa market was reopened.
“I plead with Governor Seyi Makinde to consider the plight of Iroko residents by ordering the reopening of our market. The continued closure of the market at this particular time when the generality of the people are groaning under the yoke of hunger, want and deprivation is killing.
“This is sad, especially considering the fact that life has since returned to Sasa community where crisis erupted.”
