Six traders who lost their lives during a violent incident at the Owode Onirin International Motor Spare Parts Market in Ketu, Lagos, have been buried in Ikorodu amid renewed calls for justice.
The victims were killed on August 27 last year during a controversial operation at the market, an incident that has since been widely referred to as āBlack Wednesday.ā
Family members and sympathisers gathered at Ikorodu General Hospital for the commencement of the burial rites, receiving the remains of the deceased in an atmosphere filled with grief and anguish.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the fatal incident stemmed from tensions surrounding a disputed demolition of shops within the market, located in the Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area.
What began as resistance by traders reportedly escalated into a confrontation that ended in gunfire, claiming six lives.
The deceased were identified as Seyi Akinboye, Adeoye Taiwo, Dare Mufutau, Aderemi Hakeem, Abraham Temoola, and Wale Adebayo.
At the burial, relatives described the victims as hardworking individuals who served as primary providers for their families, stressing that their deaths have left a lasting impact on their loved ones.
Many mourners insisted that those responsible must be brought to justice.
āThese were innocent men trying to earn a living. Their killers must be held accountable,ā a grieving relative said.
Authorities have since arraigned four police officers; Manu Bala, Jibrin Samaila, Ibrahim Garuba, and Ibrahim Kashimu, on charges of conspiracy and murder in connection with the incident. The officers are currently in custody as legal proceedings continue.
However, the families of the victims expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of the case, alleging that the individual believed to have orchestrated the operation has yet to be prosecuted.
They urged the government and relevant authorities to ensure that all those involved are held accountable.
Human rights groups have also condemned the killings, calling for an independent probe and adequate compensation for the affected families.
The victims were laid to rest in Igbogbo, Ikorodu, in an emotional ceremony, leaving behind widows, children, and a community still grappling with the aftermath of the tragedy.
Chairman of the market, Abiodun Ahmed, reiterated the tradersā commitment to seeking justice, vowing that the matter would not be forgotten until every person responsible is brought to account.
Tears as six slain traders in Owode Onirin Market clash laid to rest in Lagos
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