The Oyo State Government has intensified its crackdown on street trading and illegal occupation of public spaces at Gate, Bodija and Ojoo markets in Ibadan.
The enforcement exercise was carried out by the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA), in collaboration with security operatives, as part of efforts to enforce laws regulating trading activities and the use of roads, walkways and other public spaces.
OYRLEA, in a statement issued on Thursday by the state Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the operation became necessary following observations that some traders continued to display and sell goods on roads, walkways, drainage channels and road setbacks despite the availability of government-provided market facilities.
The authority said the continued occupation of public spaces by traders was capable of affecting the free movement of motorists and pedestrians.
OYRLEA said, “Many traders still display and sell goods on roads, walkways, drainage channels and road setbacks, despite the provision of adequate market facilities by the Oyo State Government.”
According to the authority, the designated markets were provided to enable traders to conduct legitimate businesses without encroaching on public infrastructure.
During the exercise, substantial quantities of both perishable and non-perishable goods were impounded from locations where trading activities were found to be in violation of the law.
The authority, however, said the enforcement was not targeted at legitimate business owners but was aimed at ensuring compliance with the law.
OYRLEA stated, “The exercise is not intended to frustrate legitimate business owners, but to ensure that traders operate within legal boundaries while safeguarding the rights of motorists, pedestrians and the general public.”
The authority consequently urged market men and women to stop trading on roads, walkways, drainage channels and road setbacks, advising them to make use of designated spaces provided for commercial activities.
It warned that the enforcement would be sustained across the affected markets and other parts of the state until significant compliance with relevant Oyo State laws was achieved.
OYRLEA further appealed to traders and members of the public to cooperate with enforcement personnel, stressing that maintaining orderly markets and accessible public spaces remained a collective responsibility.
The authority said, “Market men and women are advised to desist from trading on roads, walkways, drainage channels and setbacks, and to utilise the designated spaces provided for commercial activities.”