Kwara Traders Cry Out: ‘Don’t Kill Us’ Over Impact Of New Barricades

Traders and shop owners from Post Office and Challenge, two prominent commercial areas in Ilorin, Kwara State, gathered on Monday, January 13, 2025, to protest against the Kwara State Government’s decision to install barricades limiting access to their businesses.

these barricades are part of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s initiative to reclaim setbacks and reduce road encroachments in commercial zones.

However, the barricades have obstructed key routes connecting Post Office, Challenge, Ahmadu Bello Way, and Tanke Road in Ilorin, significantly impacting trade.

Carrying placards with messages like “Don’t kill us,” “Challenge is a central market,” and “Single entrance can’t contain us,” the protesters expressed their concerns about the detrimental effects on their businesses.

“Our businesses have been severely affected as we are unable to attract customers. This economic hardship is hitting us hard,” one trader lamented during the protest.

Tensions escalated over the weekend when one of the barricades was reportedly torn down. Security forces from the state police command were swiftly deployed to Challenge to maintain law and order.

Confirming the deployment, a senior police officer who wished to remain anonymous stated, “We are here to maintain peace and order. The police command remains committed to its constitutional responsibility of ensuring harmony.”

Toyin Samson, a trader, voiced her frustration over the lack of access to their shops, saying: “We have been denied our daily bread as many customers have abandoned us. We appeal to the government to provide more entrances to Challenge market.”

At a quarterly press briefing, ESV Abdulraheem Sulyman, Chairman of the Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KW-GIS), clarified that the reclamation exercise aligns with Federal Government directives aimed at enhancing security.

“This exercise is being carried out across all 16 local government areas in Kwara State to secure public institutions and major roads,” Sulyman said.