Oyo Govt shuts down Bodija market as Police, butchers clash

The Oyo State Government has reportedly shut down Bodija market, Ibadan, as police and butchers clashed earlier today.

This was made known on the verified twitter handle of the Oyo State Government, @oyostategovt, which said the market was shut after gunshots were heard from within the market.

The state government had directed that the butchers should relocate to a new abattoir outside the town but the butchers did not agree with the directive. The Tweet read;

“The Oyo State Government has shut down Bodija market for security reasons. This is an aftermath of the sporadic shooting which occurred earlier today in the market and its environs.

The Aare Laatosa LCDA chairman, Adekunle Oladeji said the closure is to prevent the loss of lives and property of the citizenry.

It is also to guard against the escalation of the violence in the market to other parts of the state. Situation is calm now.”

On Tuesday, the butchers staged a protest at the state secretariat in Ibadan over the demolition of the abattoir in the market by the government over the weekend.

Our correspondent learned that Thursday’s clash began when some of the butchers accused their leaders of taking gratification from the government to support the relocation order.

The clash led to the closure of shops in the market while traders vacated the market because of the commotion.

When contacted, Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, Adekunle Ajisebutu, said he would come up with a statement on the clash soon.