Officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) outfit, on Friday raided Doyin Bus stop, near Orile on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, carting away goods displayed by street traders.
Street trading is outlawed in Lagos. On sighting the KAI officials who were accompanied by armed policemen, the street traders absconded, leaving their goods behind.
The enforcement team then began demolishing the illegal stalls used by the traders.
Nofiu Ajikawo, KAI area commander for Surulere, said the seized goods would be taken to their office. "I'm trying to contact the Lagos Waste Management Authority so they would come and clear the mess we are going to leave behind," he said.
Some of the affected traders became spectators during the demolition exercise because any attempt to claim ownership of a stall to save the goods inside attract immediate arrest, which will see the person being dumped into a waiting Black Maria.
"I just came back from the east, where I brought some oranges to sell here but they've taken everything away," said Nkiru Okeke, a trader. She admitted being notified of an impending demolition but said she had to flout the order because she had no alternative. "If I no sell here, where you wan make I go sell?" she asked.
Rare display of mercy
After pleadings from passers-by to the area commander to release the perishable goods seized from the traders, Mr. Ajikawo gave in but insisted that the traders must come to their office with one passport photograph.
"They have to sign an undertaking that they would never sell in this place again," Mr. Ajikawo said.
The area commander also threatened to seal up a Volvo company because, according to him, they are allowing traders do business in front of their office.
"We are going to serve them papers. They should plant flowers and beautify the premises instead of allowing traders to be messing up the whole place. Failure to comply may see the company being seal up," said Mr. Ajikawo.