No fewer than two traders on Thursday lost their lives in a clash between security agents and butchers at Bodija market in Ibadan.
State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Odude, who addressed newsmen after the incident, confirmed that the clash left at least two persons dead.
Mr Odude said his men, who were on an assignment to enforce a court order at the Bodija abattoir, were attacked by suspected hoodlums allegedly hired by recalcitrant butchers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government had some months back directed butchers in Ibadan to relocate to the new central abattoir at Amosun village in Akinyele Local Government.
However, while some of the butchers have relocated to the new abattoir, some recalcitrant butchers had remained contrary to the directive.
Crisis had on Thursday erupted at the Bodija abattoir when a government task force and security personnel visited the place to enforce a court order which banned further operations at the abattoir.
The police station in the market was razed during the mayhem.
NAN reports that the state government has shut down the market to prevent further loss of lives and property.
Yinka Fatoki, Executive Secretary, Oyo State Bureau of Investment Promotion at a news conference, said the incident erupted when suspected hoodlums allegedly hired by recalcitrant butchers attacked members of the government task force.
He stated that the government task force and security personnel had visited the illegal abattoir in Bodija market to enforce a court order secured by the State Ministry of Agriculture.
Mr Fatoki explained that the licenses of the abattoir had been revoked by the ministry since 2014 due to the untoward activities, adding that their operation had since then become illegal.
“Since then, government has directed that butchers in Ibadan should relocate to the new central abattoir located at Amosun Village in Akinyele Local Government.
“The governor had out of his magnanimity directed that the butchers should not be ejected forcefully but be enlightened on the benefit of relocating to the new central abattoir valued at four billion naira,” he said.
He stated that government had made provision for their transport to the new abattoir and has erected a police station as well as bank in the facility on their request.
