The recent announcement by the Department of State Security that the dreaded Boko Haram sect has moved into Lagos and Enugu has led to widespread tension and fear in the states.
Ever since the security agency made the revelation in a press statement on Sunday, residents have not stopped discussing the ominous implications of the development in the states.
The DSS on Sunday had announced the arrest of 20 suspected Boko Haram commanders in Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Plateau and Gombe states between July 8 and August 25, 2015. Some of the suspects were said to have masterminded suicide attacks in Potiskum, Kano, Zaria, and Jos.
The Baba Oloja (market leader) at Owotuntun, Okrika, Kaatangwa market, Lagos, Badmus Aboderin, said there has been palpable tension among traders since the DSS announced the arrests.
Aboderin said market leaders had been holding prayer sessions and holding meetings with security agencies to secure the market from Boko Haram attack.
He said, “We have told our traders to be more observant and we have also been meeting with security operatives to checkmate any planned attack on the market. We pray to God every Thursday to avert any danger from the market.”
Also, traders at Oba Ogunji market, Agege, Lagos, expressed fear over the development.
The market’s General Secretary, Alhaji Lukman Lamidi, said the market had employed measures to safeguard their shops.
He said, “We’re afraid because we don’t want anybody to destroy our market or Lagos for us, which is why we drive everyone away from the market by 6.30pm daily.
“We don’t want anyone to hide in our shops at night and we have also been holding meetings with the police in the area. We disseminate any information we get from the police to the traders to ensure security.”
A trader at Yisa market, Lagos, Adedeji Ajayi, said he and some other traders had put their lives in God’s hands, urging the government to efficiently monitor the influx of migrants into the state.
“God will expose anyone who plans evil here but at the same time, there are too many people in Lagos who have no business here,” he said.
Fears of possible Boko Haram attacks has also been more pronounced among traders in major markets like Ogbete main market, Artisan market, Kenyata market, Mami market, New Haven market, Mayor market and Relief market in Enugu.
Our correspondent observed that transporters and travellers in the major motor parks in the city are afraid of the Boko Haram sect.
Some traders who spoke to our correspondent expressed concern at the presence of the Boko Haram sect in Enugu.
Mr. Obinna Ozo, who deals in curtains and fabrics in Kenyata market, said most traders in the market had been apprehensive since the DSS made the revelation.
Ozo urged the state and federal governments to beef up security in the market.
He noted that reports from the North East had shown that Boko Haram usually target markets because of the large number of casualties that could be recorded in such attacks.
He said, “Traders here are apprehensive, we are worried.
“Normally I look forward to coming to my shop here six days in a week, we don’t open on Sundays, but now I am not so comfortable in the market.
“Who knows when Boko Haram will strike? There are many people here, who can tell who is a terrorist or someone who came to buy, or even sell?
“It is so fearful, everyday we hear in the news that one market or the other was bombed in Maiduguri and other areas in the north, and now we have been told that Boko Haram is in Enugu. I wonder how safe we are.”
Another trader, Amadi Nwobodo, who has a provisions shop in Ogbete main market, told our correspondent that he was considering moving his business out of the market.
Nwobodo said he would be more secured if his shop was located in a residential area.
He said, “I am thinking of relocating my shop to a less crowded place, preferably a residential area.
“Experience has shown that crowded places like this market are easy targets for Boko Haram.
“I don’t feel safe in the market anymore but I pray that God will continue to protect us.
“I am not the only one that is worried; other traders here will tell you the same thing, even customers too.”
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