Aggrieved market women in Iyana Ipaja, Alimosho Local Government of Lagos State, yesterday, protested alleged extortion by illegal revenue collectors.
The protesters, with placards, said the collectors allegedly terrorise them.
They called on Governor Babaide Sanwo-Olu and council Chair, Jelili Sulaimon, to save them from harassment.
“We have been on this issue since 2023. We have been reporting them verbally and through writing to government agencies, but nothing has been done, the Iya-loja, Alhaja Mufuliat Adebayo, said.
Trouble began when the LCDA chair, Sulaiman Jelili, stopped Jimoh Ejigbadero’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) collection contract.
An angry Ejigbadero was said to have stormed the office with thugs to remove the new contractor.
In the fracas, Saheed Ibrahim, a transporter, was shot in the leg.
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Ibrahim said: “I came back from a trip and I was relaxing at Iyana Ipaja Garage when hoodlums came and attacked people. They shot me in my leg. Since then, I couldn’t drive and work. I can’t walk without walking stick. I want the government to intervene and stop this reign of terror.’’
It was learnt the hoodlums, about 10, invaded the garage, inflicting injuries on drivers and union leaders
Residents complain Ejigbadero allegedly intimidates them with fake documents to take over their land.
They alleged he said his father bought the land from Alimosho Municipality.
“He claims his father owns the land. If we go to the police, nothing happens.”
But Ejigbadero said he never directed anybody to collect money and that the allegations were baseless.
Alhaja Adebayo said following non-response from the authorities, ‘‘I decided to let the world know what we are passing through in this market.