Tension at BBA int’l centre over alleged harassment by thugs

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June 25, 2024

International Trade Fair Complex

By Esther Onyegbula

LAGOS—There is tension at the Balogun Business Association International Centre for Commerce shopping complex, BBA, International Trade Fair Complex, Lagos State over the activities of suspected thugs extorting, threatening and harassing traders in the market.

Some of the aggrieved traders met over the weekend to conclude plans to resist the extortion and harassment by the thugs who are always armed with dangerous weapons and this, according to sources, may lead to a breakdown of law and order in the international market.

Some traders in the market said the current crisis is not unconnected with the actions of a group of individuals claiming to be officers of the association who have been imposing levies on members, shop owners and visitors to the market at a time that the association and its Caretaker Committee had gone to court to restrain this group from imposing levies and collecting same.

They alleged that the group was led by contestants, who said they were winners in an election that was held since June 24, 2021 but only took office in November 2023 stating that members are vehemently protesting, insisting that the association was already embroiled in litigation on the conduct of elections of officers of the association when a group went to a hotel and held an election.