There was panic and anguish on Tuesday at the popular FUTA Junction area of Akure, Ondo State, after suspected hoodlums invaded a business cluster and destroyed properties valued at several millions of naira.
The attackers, said to be about 20 in number, reportedly stormed the premises with bulldozers, pulling down shops and carting away goods belonging to traders dealing in provisions, food items, household equipment, beverages and other merchandise.
Eyewitnesses and affected traders described the incident as sudden and devastating, leaving many shop owners stranded and in tears as they watched their livelihoods destroyed.
When journalists visited the scene, the area had been turned into a wreck site, with damaged goods scattered and several structures either partially or completely demolished.
One of the affected traders, Mrs. Helen Chidinma, said the crisis followed a prolonged dispute over ownership of the land on which the shops were built.
She explained that the traders had earlier received a quit notice months back from an individual claiming title to the property, but said their landlord had dismissed the notice and advised them to escalate the matter legally.
According to her, tensions escalated after a series of fresh notices were issued, including a final deadline which expired shortly before the demolition exercise.
Chidinma alleged that despite reporting the matter to the police on the advice of legal representatives, the situation worsened when bulldozers arrived at the site alongside security operatives, leading to the destruction of goods and structures.
Another trader, Seyi Jonathan, said the land had long been a subject of legal and ownership disputes involving different families and individuals over the years.
He said confusion deepened after multiple claims of ownership and alleged resale of the property, which eventually culminated in sudden enforcement actions that caught occupants unprepared.
Jonathan lamented that goods worth millions of naira were lost within a short period, describing the incident as a severe blow to small business owners operating in the area.
The affected traders have appealed to the Ondo State Government and relevant authorities, including the state’s anti-land grabbing framework headed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo (SAN), to urgently intervene in the matter and prevent further destruction.
They also called for protection and justice, insisting that many of them had operated in the area for years and should not be left to bear the losses alone.
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