Traders, buyers defy lockdown order

.. Refuse use of face masks, social distancing

Many traders and buyers at the popular Ile Epo market in Lagos have continued to defy the state government directive on social distancing in other to stop the spread of the coronavirus

A visit to the popular Ile Epo market in Alimosho local government area of the state showed traders struggling through one of the gates to gain entrance into the market as they pushed each other without wearing facemasks, practising social distancing and sanitizing their hands

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The commotion at the Ile Epo market along Lagos-Abeokuta expressway was brought to an end when the Lagos state task force was invited in as sellers and truckloads of perishable goods were barred from entering the market.

Investigation revealed that the commotion was caused by the enforcement of the ‘No Market day’ as the state government had approved certain days for food markets to operate due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

All the gates leading into the market were locked and manned by the leaders of the market popularly called Iya loja and Baba Loja.

Some of the sellers had their goods seized by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps LAGESC for violating the environment law and directive of the state government.

However, both sellers and buyers locked out of the market relocated to areas nearby to carry on business activities which led to a gridlock on the road leading in and out of the market.

Some able bodied youths who have stores in the market were seen jumping the fence of the market to gain access into their stores.

Some of the sellers said some people were allowed to open for business because they had settled the market leaders while others who do not have the means were denied entry.

A tomato seller at the market said although it was announced yesterday that the market would not open for business, she had to come to sell off her goods because they would go bad if not sold by the end of the day.

An official of the LAGESC, who did not want his name mentioned said they were in the market to ensure its closure as the day was not the approve day for market activities, adding that the sellers and buyers were violating the directive of social distancing and non-use of facemasks.

Market leaders of the popular Ile Epo could not be reached as they refused to answer their telephone calls as at the of filing this report.