Trade Fair Market Killing: Task Force Chairman Accuses BBA Officials, Demands Justice for Slain Officer

Trade Fair Market Killing: Task Force Chairman Accuses BBA Officials, Demands Justice for Slain Officer

….as new facts connected to disputed land, illegal construction, and gunfire surface in the trade fair tragedy.

By Naomi Onome

Fresh revelations have emerged over the violent clash that rocked the Balogun Business Association (BBA) Market at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, resulting in the death of a security operative and injuries to three others.

Alhaji Ismaila Bakare, the Chairman of the International Trade Fair Complex Security Task Force, accused officials and associates of the Balogun Business Association of conducting what he called an illegal construction exercise that led to a deadly attack on task force members.

Speaking during an interview on the incident, Bakare recounted how he was directed by the Executive Director of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, Mrs. Veronica Ndanusa, to investigate reports of ongoing construction activities within a disputed section of the complex on a Sunday, a day when construction activities are prohibited.

According to him, upon arrival at the site, he discovered workers erecting attachment structures and immediately halted the exercise.

“I saw them putting up attachment structures. I stopped them and confiscated their generator and welding machine. We do not allow anybody to work on Sundays because it is against the regulations of the Trade Fair Complex,” Bakare said.

He explained that those involved were instructed to report to the management office on the next working day to retrieve the seized equipment.

Bakare alleged that the workers initially attempted to confront members of the task force but were prevented from doing so.

“They wanted to fight us, but I warned them against any violent action because I was acting on management’s directive,” he stated.

According to the task force chairman, the situation escalated after the workers allegedly procured another generator and welding machine and relocated to another section of the disputed area to continue construction.

He claimed the individuals involved identified themselves as members of the Balogun Business Association.

“I saw the Chief Security Officer and the Assistant Chief Security Officer of BBA there. They claimed they were working for BBA,” he said.

Bakare further alleged that when members of the task force moved to stop the renewed construction activities, they were ambushed by armed men.

“They attacked us. Some carried dangerous weapons. As we tried to escape, gunshots rang out,” he said.

The chairman specifically accused a man identified as Afam Ezeakire, popularly known as “Master,” of opening fire on task force officials.

“Afam, also known as Master, was the person carrying the gun. He shot one of my men,” Bakare alleged.

The victim was identified as Kabiru Jakpata, a member of the task force who later died from gunshot wounds.

“They shot about three people, but one died. The others survived after receiving treatment,” he said.

Bakare described the death of Jakpata as heartbreaking, noting that the deceased was the only son of his parents, a husband with two wives and a father of eight children.

“His death is painful. He was the only son of his parents. He left behind two wives and eight children,” he lamented.

The task force chairman disclosed that after the shooting, surviving members rushed the injured to the police station within the Trade Fair Complex and reported the incident to authorities.

He added that the Executive Director subsequently contacted the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, prompting security intervention and the sealing of the affected section of the market.

Bakare also claimed that during a meeting with police authorities, the President of the Balogun Business Association, Chief Oscar Paul Ikechukwu Odogwu, acknowledged authorizing the construction activities.

“When we got to the Commissioner’s office, Oscar admitted that he directed the people carrying out the work,” Bakare alleged.

The task force chairman insisted that the construction exercise was illegal, arguing that it was conducted on a Sunday and on land that did not belong to those carrying out the development.

He further claimed that the disputed land belongs to Mega Rickon Resources Limited and that the workers failed to provide documentation proving ownership of the property.

“What they were doing was not on their land. That is why management directed us to stop the work and ask them to produce documents proving ownership,” he said.

Bakare, who has worked at the Trade Fair Complex for about two years, maintained that the actions of the task force were in line with management directives and established regulations.

He called on law enforcement agencies to ensure that all those responsible for the killing are brought to justice.

The incident has continued to generate controversy within the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, with allegations and counter-allegations emerging from different parties connected to the dispute.

Meanwhile, police investigations into the fatal shooting and the circumstances surrounding the disputed construction project are ongoing.