A wave of panic has swept through the Old Garage area of Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, Nigeria, after traders reported that their shops were burgled and vandalized overnight on Tuesday. The affected traders, primarily Igbo phone accessories sellers, claim they left their shops secure on Monday night only to find damage on Tuesday morning. Shards of broken glass were scattered on the shop floors, with display glass boxes showing signs of forced entry.
According to the President of the Traders' Association, Mr. Ifeanyi Peter Okoye, the traders discovered the damage when they arrived at their shops early on Tuesday morning to start business. Several glass panels had been broken, and Okoye revealed that the traders had received threats from alleged area boys over the past two days. These threats were reportedly linked to the traders' attendance at public events, including the birthday celebration of the wife of the state governor and a gathering to mark Governor Adeleke's victory.
Okoye expressed concern that the threats and vandalism were impacting business, with buyers avoiding the area due to fear of potential attacks by hoodlums. Another trader, Anayo, corroborated Okoye's account, stating that threats had been received since Saturday, and the destruction of their business was now a reality. The traders believe they are being targeted for their perceived support for Governor Adeleke during and after the recent elections.
The affected traders, still visibly shaken, spoke about their ordeal without identifying themselves, citing fear of the unknown. They confirmed that the threats and vandalism had created a climate of fear, making it difficult for them to operate their businesses. The incident has raised concerns about the security situation in Osogbo and the need for authorities to take action to protect traders and their businesses.
The Osun State Police Command has yet to officially react to the incident, leaving the traders and the community on edge. The police command's silence has sparked concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement in addressing the growing insecurity in the area. Meanwhile, the traders are calling for urgent action to be taken to restore order and protect their businesses from further attacks.
This incident is not an isolated case, as Osogbo has experienced a surge in violent crimes and vandalism in recent times. The state government has been urged to take concrete steps to address the security challenges facing the state and ensure that traders and residents feel safe. The government has been working to improve security, including the launch of the Violent Crime Response Unit and the constitution of a civilian committee.
The economic impact of the vandalism is already being felt, with traders estimating significant losses due to the destruction of their property and stock. The incident has also raised concerns about the potential long-term effects on the local economy and the livelihoods of those dependent on the affected businesses.
Key points
- The traders believe they are being targeted for their perceived support for Governor Adeleke during and after the recent elections.
