Business activities came to a standstill in the Ifo area of Ogun State as traders from the South-East region closed their shops in protest following the fatal stabbing of a fellow trader, Blessing Eze.
The incident allegedly involved local tax enforcers demanding levies tied to the Eid Mubarak celebration.
The tragic event unfolded on Friday, June 6, 2025, when, according to eyewitness accounts, Eze was approached by a group of touts demanding ₦1,500 from each trader as a “festival levy.” Eze reportedly declined, explaining that she had not made any sales and couldn’t afford to pay at the time.
Chiamaka Eze, a fellow trader who witnessed the altercation, recounted the harrowing experience in a phone conversation.
“The incident happened on Friday being yesterday when some touts began taxing traders over the Eid Mubarak festival of Muslim faithfuls that took place yesterday. Each trader was asked to pay ₦1500,” she said.
“On getting to late Mrs Eze, she told them she didn’t have the money as at the time they came, and pleaded that they should come back. As touts that they are, they started destroying her goods, during which she dragged one of them and asked him to arrange her goods properly and come back.
“She said she would pay but she didn’t have the money as of that time because she had not sold anything. That’s how one of them stabbed her on the chest which later led to her death.”
The confrontation reportedly escalated when the assailants began to damage her wares, prompting a scuffle that led to the fatal stabbing. Her death has since sparked widespread anger among the trading community, many of whom say they’ve long endured similar acts of harassment and extortion.
“We are mourning the loss of one of our own, and we demand justice,” said Simon Uchenna, a member of the Igbo Market Union. “Before this woman’s death, we had been experiencing assault and intimidation from those group of touts.”
He added that the union had declared a four-day mourning period, during which South-East traders in the area would suspend all trading activity and focus on protests aimed at drawing government attention.
“We implore the Ogun State Government to intervene and make sure the perpetrators are brought to book,” Uchenna added.
The outrage is further fueled by accounts of similar incidents in the past. One trader recalled how his wife was stabbed in a separate altercation last year involving the son of the market leader. Despite reporting the matter to authorities, he said he was pressured to withdraw the complaint due to the accused’s influential connections.
“Nigeria will always be what it is, where killers will tell you to your face that they will kill you and nothing will happen,” the trader said.
Traders are urging the state to take decisive steps to eliminate the presence of violent tax collectors and to enhance security within local markets.
“Festival money shouldn’t be by force, it should have been something of free will,” said another trader, Okoye Chizoba.
“True to their words, they will kill you and nothing will happen. Human lives mean nothing to everyone, even those (government) whose duty is to protect you from killers.”
The closure of shops has significantly disrupted commerce in the area, with residents and customers expressing shock over the violent nature of the incident.
As demonstrations continue, traders remain united in their demand for justice and a safer business environment. “May her soul rest in peace,” many said, as they paid tribute to the late Blessing Eze.
(SAHARAREPORTERS)
