KEY POINTS

• The Lagos State Government has shut down Oshodi Resettlement Market following an alleged attack on KAI officials during an enforcement operation.
• Authorities said traders obstructed the arrest of suspected hoodlums and beggars and allegedly vandalised government vehicles.
• The government has yet to announce how long the market will remain closed or whether arrests were made.

The Lagos State Government has ordered the closure of the Oshodi Resettlement Market after traders allegedly attacked officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), popularly known as KAI, during an enforcement exercise in the area.

The development was announced on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, through a post on his X account.

According to the commissioner, the market was shut down following a confrontation that occurred when KAI officials entered the market to carry out an operation targeting suspected hoodlums and beggars.

Wahab alleged that traders at the market resisted the operation and assaulted officials of the sanitation agency.

According to him, the traders prevented KAI officers from carrying out arrests and allegedly supported actions that led to the vandalism of the agency’s operational vehicles.

“Oshodi Resettlement Market, Oshodi has been shut down,” the commissioner stated.

He further alleged that traders attacked officers and personnel of the agency while they were attempting to apprehend individuals suspected of engaging in activities considered harmful to public order within the area.

Government Yet to Release Further Details

Although the government announced the market’s closure, authorities did not disclose whether any arrests had been made following the incident.

The commissioner also did not indicate whether any KAI personnel sustained injuries during the confrontation.

In addition, no timeline was provided regarding how long the market would remain closed or the conditions traders would need to meet before business activities could resume.

As of Tuesday evening, the Lagos State Government had also not released details of the extent of damage allegedly caused to the agency’s vehicles.

The Oshodi Resettlement Market is one of the busiest commercial hubs in Lagos, attracting thousands of traders, buyers, commuters and transport operators daily.

Located in one of the state’s most active business districts, the market serves as a major centre for trade and economic activities.

The closure is expected to affect many traders and customers who rely on the market for their daily business operations.

The latest action forms part of ongoing efforts by the Lagos State Government to enforce environmental regulations and maintain public order across the state.

In recent months, authorities have intensified campaigns against street trading, environmental violations and activities deemed detrimental to sanitation and urban management.

Several markets and commercial facilities have been sealed over alleged breaches of environmental laws.

Earlier this year, the state government shut down the Ladipo Spare Parts Market in Mushin over environmental concerns. The Itedo Market in Lekki was also closed in 2025 for similar reasons.