Due to extortion and the imposition of excessive fees on the traders, Lanre Ogunsola, the Chairman of the Obafemi Owode Local Government in Ogun State, has banned the operations of the Iyaloja in the Mowe market for a period of six months.
In addition, the head of the council issued an order prohibiting anyone from engaging in any Iyaloja-related activity in Mowe Market for the next six months.
It was discovered that the suspension came after a dispute between two groups vying for Iyaloja’s post, which prompted the Association of Mowe Market Men and Women to protest.
Crowds of merchants, locals, and young people attended the demonstration at the Mowe market last Tuesday, and they demanded that the Ogun State Government step in.
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However, the suspension came after a meeting on Wednesday at Ogunsola’s office that included top officials from the Nigeria Police Force’s Area Command and Divisions, the Department of State Security Services (DSS), the National Orientation Agency (NOA), traditional chiefs and community leaders, and other local government stakeholders.
The chairman instructed security personnel to keep an eye out for any individual or group of individuals who disobey the order, while stating that self-interest would not be accepted.
As we all know, Obafemi Owode Local Government serves as a gateway to numerous cities and states in the South-West, thus we cannot stand by and let things get out of hand before taking the appropriate measures, he stated.
“As a government, we cannot allow selfish interest to override the peace and security of our people, and hereby declare the activities of Iyaloja in Mowe market suspended for six months, effective from today 29th April, 2025.” “The installation of Iyaloja is not the responsibility of the local government; rather, it is the duty of the traditional chiefs to choose their Iyaloja.”
He also established a seven-member caretaker group to take action at that time.
Ajobola Olanrewaju is the secretary, Mrs. Ganiyat Ogunleye is a member, Olusegun Adebayo is a member, Rasidi Adenekan is a member, Opeodu Rotimi is the director of finance, and Nurudeen Alowonle is the chairman of the committee.
