Kwara Business owners protest blockade of shops, appeal to Gov AbdulRazaq to intervene

Teaders and business owners at Challenge Ilorin on Monday staged a peaceful protest to express their inconvenience over the state government’s decision to fence off a major road of the Post Office Challenge area of Ilorin, the state capital.

The project, initiated by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to reduce traffic congestion in the area, has put the traders and shop owners in danger of theft and accident and also restricted access to shops and offices in the bustling commercial hub, leaving traders frustrated and concerned about their livelihoods.

Protesters in their numbers were seen carrying placards with different inscriptions such as “Don’t kill us,” “Challenge is a central market, give us more entrances,” and “Single entrance can’t contain us.”

The traders criticised the government’s lack of consultation and transparency before commencing the project, adding that they would continue protesting until the government heard their demand.

However, there was no reaction from the state government when filing this report.