Abuse of Power: K.A.I. shut down Mushin market for 9-days, demands N4m to reopen market -Traders lament in protest
By Onome Naomi
Mushin residents on Friday, February 16, 2024, woke up to a massive protest from traders at the Mushin market area in a register of displeasure over the shut down of sales for nine days as imposed by a Lagos state government body named K.A.I. (Kick Against Indiscipline).
AMPEF Human Rights Advocates visited the affected area of the Mushin market to make findings on the reason for the closure as reported by the market traders. The Mushin market executives, Mr. Saliu Akanbi and Taiwo Alabede, gave the same accounts; they stated that at 7 a.m. on the morning of February 7, 2024, Kai stormed the market, went straight to the traders goods already packed, and threw them all on the streets of the market. A young man who dared to stop the act of wasting the consumables owned by struggling traders infuriated the officials who in turn shut the market, asking for N4,000,000 before the market can operate its day-to-day activities again.
AMPEF coordinator, Comrade Prince Saviour Iche said LAWMA PRO, Mrs. Shade Kadiri affirmed in a call that LAWMA is unaware of the recent 9-day closure of the market by KAI as she directs the Mushin market executives to attend the environmental meeting in Alausa to register complaints.
Some of the traders who spoke with pressmen present at the mild protest lamented bitterly over the loss of money as goods for sale are turning to rot and waste.
Mrs. Ramota said her goods are perishable consumable goods that cannot be preserved for long before going to waste. She says she comes from very far every day in hopes that the market will reopen for her to sell her goods, but all to no avail.
Another trader said she is a single mother of several children and solely depends on her daily sales for her livelihood. She complains that 9 days is an intolerable stretch of wasted time when she has mouths to feed and send to school.
Alhaja Taibat Abdulhameed, a committee member of the Mushin market, said on the morning of February 7th, when the closure occurred, KAI, at about 7 a.m., was seen throwing away people’s goods and was countered by someone for putting struggling traders into such debt in their absence instead of calling airing traders to order if there were any orders violated. Upon being countered by the daring young man who only tried to plead, Kai displayed a misuse of power, shut down the market on the allegation of obstruction of duty, and demanded 4 million naira unless remain closed. She says the closure of the market has affected her family greatly, reveals that her husband is also a trader in the same market, hustling for means to keep the home front running.
Several other traders took to the streets of Mushin in a protest that almost turned wild to address KAI officials who parked operational vehicles at the market entrance to stop customers from patronising.
A KAI official approached by human rights advocates over the issue said the protest will further prolong their punishment and fine, and there’s nothing the traders or anyone else can do about it.
AMPEF Advocate Comrade Prince Saviour led fellow comrades and pressmen to Mushin Market after an S.O.S. call by traders, demands that the Ministry of Environment takes swift action on KAI to reopen the market; otherwise, expect a radical protest. This assertion was made after a thorough investigation of the issue, which has led to massive wastage, untold hardship, and setbacks for traders.
Comrade Prince Saviour Iche said:
Considering the nation’s economy, where people can hardly survive, it is inhuman to block people’s source of livelihood and make outrageous demands of N4 million naira as fine; otherwise, the market will remain closed.
It’s high time the government began to checkmate this body over misuse of power and lay emphasis on jurisdiction, mode of operation, and conduct. If KAI is Kick Against Indiscipline and they portray Indiscipline in their duty, how then can they maintain law and orderliness in the state? The officials need sensitization on the mode of conduct; extortion and inhumane treatment of people must stop.
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The question is: Between @Lawma_gov and @kai, who’s responsible for environmental inspection? Does Kai have the power to shut down a busy market for nine days and impose a fine of N4 million before reopening despite economic challenges?
See videos:
Happened in Mushin today, my question is: Btw @Lawma_gov & @kai who's responsible for environmental inspection? Kai has reportedly shut down Mushin market for 9days now, ask sellers to pay N4m b4 reopening. Traders registered displeasure via protest over wasted goods & shortages pic.twitter.com/pkwpecNjAM
— Naomisophyblogofficial (@naomi_onome) February 16, 2024
