Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has ordered the immediate reopening of the popular Sasha market after Yoruba and Hausa residents and traders in the community welcomed peace.
Mr 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.
“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.
“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.”
The Sasha market was closed after a disagreement between a cart pusher and a stall owner ensued on February 11. It got complicated and led to violence after a cobbler, Sakirudeen Adeola intervened on the side of the woman.
Adeola was attacked by the cart pusher and later died. His death later led to a riot as lives were lost and properties were destroyed.
The governor in a bid to forestall lawlessness ordered the closure of the market imposing a curfew in the community.
By Abel Ejikeme
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