Traders seek justice one year after POWA market demolition

Aggrieved traders displaced from the Police Officers’ Wives Association Shopping Complex in Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos, have lamented that their economic conditions have remained unstable a year after the Nigeria Police Force demolished their shops.

The chairman of the Computer Dealer Association (POWA Phase II), Tayo Shittu, stated in an interview with PUNCH Metro on Monday that members of the association were still struggling to recover from the losses suffered due to the demolition, as they continue to await justice.

The chairman of the aggrieved traders appealed to those in authority and other well-meaning Nigerians to help seek justice and accountability.

A report by PUNCH Metro on January 1, 2024, highlighted the shock and dismay of the traders and shopowners at the complex when, on the night of December 30, 2023, at least four bulldozers, accompanied by armed police officers, arrived to carry out the demolition.

The aggrieved traders condemned the demolition as “heinous and heartless,” accusing the police of carrying out the exercise when property owners in the complex had already travelled for the end-of-year celebrations.

In a statement issued on December 30, 2023, spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, emphasised that the demolition of the building would proceed as planned, insisting that it was “imperative to clarify” that the complex was officially allocated to the wives and relatives of police officers.

He added that the demolition was “to enable the Force to commence immediate construction of a modern shopping complex on the same land.”

Speaking on Monday, Shittu revealed that traders had suffered sleepless nights over the unlawful demolition of the POWA Plaza Phases I and II, along with the alleged looting of IT products, gadgets, and equipment owned by the plaza’s occupants.

“On December 30, 2023, a glaring case of abuse of power and blatant disregard for the rule of law unfolded at POWA Plaza Phases 1 and 2 in Computer Village, Ikeja. Around 11:30 p.m., approximately 300 fully armed police officers, equipped with tear gas and guns, stormed the area to carry out the demolition of the plazas.”

“The demolished plaza housed several IT companies specialising in the sales, services, and solutions of IT products, catering to countless individuals and organizations.

“These small and medium enterprises (SMEs) contribute to the economy by paying both federal and state taxes. As job creators and value-adding businesses, they should be protected and supported—not destroyed overnight.”

The chairman of the Computer Dealer Association (POWA Phase I), Okeke Ifeanyi, whose members were also affected, expressed frustration over the demolition, stating that it lacked due process.

Ifeanyi added that all efforts by the traders who had lost valuables in the demolition to engage the police had been met with “intimidation and lies of all kinds.

“As we reflect on the damage caused to our lives and business by the illegal and unjust demolition of our business structure, which infringed upon our fundamental human rights as a business entity and law-abiding citizens of Nigeria,

“We remain steadfast in our unwavering demand for justice, fairness, and adequate compensation for the illegal demolition of our business and the looting of our IT products (laptops, printers, and other items). All members affected by the demolition have properly documented a detailed record of all looted items.”

Meanwhile, as of the time this report was filed, Adejobi had not yet responded to our correspondent’s inquiry regarding whether the police hierarchy would compensate traders who lost their wares in the demolition exercise.