society

Crisis Rocks BBA Again: Thugs Backed By Heavily Armed Police Detachment Invades Market By Ifeoma Ikem

Published

2 years ago

November 23, 2023

Sahara Weekly

Crisis Rocks BBA Again: Thugs Backed By Heavily Armed Police Detachment Invades Market

By Ifeoma Ikem

Crisis rocked the popular Multi Billion Naira Balogun Business Association,BBA, International Market, located at the Trade Fair International Complex Lagos State, as thugs allegedly loyal to a faction but accompanied by heavily armed police officers, Invaded the Market by 3am in the morning, to enforce a questionable court Judgement forcefully foisting Chief Oscar Odogwu, as new President of the market.

Our Correspondent learnt that the Traders are protesting, even as Market Caretaker Committee Leadership Vows To throw out the Illegal Government.

Some of the Traders at the crisis ridden Balogun Business Association International Market, BBA, said that Lagos State have condemned the wee hours invasion, property destruction, colossal damages to sections of the market and wounding of market security officers by armed thugs, who were said to have been backed by heavily armed police team .

Saharaweekly reporter who visited the market around 11 am yesterday, reported that the visibly angry, obviously shaken and traumatized traders,vowed to resist the new but unpopular Chief Oscar Odogwu’s led leadership, which they said was unlawful foisted on them by the invaders on Wednesday, November 22nd , 2023.

They however commended the rare high level of maturity,civilization,Safety consciousness and law abiding attitude exhibited by the legitimate Care taker committee of BBA, led by Hon. Chief Anselem Duru,during the Wednesday 3am unlawful invasion and forceful take of the market leadership and Secretariat by Oscar Odogwu and Alex Obi – Odunukwe’s Thugs and police,who allegedly invaded the market to foist an illegal market leadership.

Speaking, one of the visibly Angry traders, Chief Polycarp Nwankwo, “the refusal by Hon. Duru Led ICC to resort to self help and confrontation with thugs, but resigned to rule of law, was the saving grace that avoided Imminent Bloodbath,Possible Breakdown Of Law And Order, As Heavily Armed thugs backed by Police Officers Besiege BBA Lagos Market Complex to Enforce Controversial court Order”

Our investigation revealed that thousands of angry Traders at the Multi billion Naira BBA International market, located at the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, along the Lagos/Badagry Expressway, Lagos, were vexed over the forceful foisting of what they described as a new unwarranted and unwanted leadership on them .

They also condemned the alleged manhandling of the legitimate Chief Security Officer, CSO of the market,Chief Chinaedu Ezebuadi and his security colleagues, who were said to have been brutally beaten by the invaders,who stormed the market by 3am, early Wednesday morning using hired thugs , accompanied by a detachment of heavily armed Police officers, suspected to be from the State Command, whose mission they said was to Unlawfully foist a new leadership in the crisis ridden market.

According to our Correspondent ,there are palpable fears, with tension running high,as some breakaway members of the Association led by one Chief Oscar Odogwu, allegedly backed by over 300 armed police officers , “on a mission to enforce a dubious and questionable court order , in a very dangerous attempt to foist an unknown and unrecognized members of the Association on the teeming traders in the market, in contravention of subsisting orders and decisions of the Federal High Court”.

The traders are envisaging a total breakdown of Law and Order, if due process and rule of law that has been truncated, is not restored immediately,which they fear may lead to bloodbath, as it had once happened in the same market years ago.

They therefore called on the Inspector General of the Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene and call the Lagos State Police Command to order.

Speaking, the legally recognized Caretaker Committee CTC, led by Honourable Anselm Dunu and the Secretary, Chief Leonard Ogbonnia, had Stated in an interview that the new phase of the crisis that had been rocking the market association started after Chief Okey Ezeibe allegedly took some of his loyalists to an obscure area outside the market and Conducted an illegal election in which unpopular and unrecognized persons, including Chief Oscar Odogwu,were purportedly elected as leaders of the association to the chagrin of other members who felt the reign of Chief Ezeibe as President and Board of Trustee, BOT Chairman, had lapsed and therefore, conducting an election outside the market runs contrary to their Constitution.

“It was this kangaroo and unlawful election in a hotel outside our market,that Oscar Odogwu and his co- travellers , used in initiating a court proceedings against individuals. For record purposes and emphasis, Odogwu’s court case was not with our organization called BBA , not with the caretaker committee.

The deceived the court, the police,collected illegal Judgement with which they came to our market by 3am in the morning , broke into the security office, destroying things, manhandling our security personnel and Unlawfully took over leadership of the market .How can police Officers invade a market at the wee hours of the day, when market had long closed to enforce a questionable court Order . IGP Kayode Egbetokun, The Judiciary,Federal and State governments, should urgently intervene, so as to restore the democratic Hope of common man and our genuine traders”, The oldest Member, BBA Board Of Trustees, BOT, Chief Nick Okeke, lamented.

Meanwhile, Chief leonard Ogbonnia, frowned at what he described as Odogwu’s group deception and love for illegalities, “considering that just on Monday all parties in several Federal High Court cases, including this invaders, were in court for peaceful settlement and resolutions of cases and issues in the market “

According to a press release signed by Hon. Dunu and Chief Ogbonnia, despatched to our Correspondent, titled: “THE EVENTS AT BBA/ICC TODAY, WEDNESDAY, 22ND NOVEMBER,

2023″, it reads:

“Greetings beloved and greet fellow members of BBA/ICC.

The Caretaker Committee of BBA uses this opportunity to address you on the

regrettable and ridiculous events of today, Wednesday, 22nd of November,

2023 when the duo of Mr. Alex Obi-Odunukwe and Mr. Oscar Odogwu broke

into the hallowed grounds of our Shopping Complex under the flag and color of

enforcing an alleged order or judgment of court.”

“It is imperative that you, resourceful and glorious members of Balogun Business

Association, hold very closely to your noble hearts the very vital information

that the purported judgment under which cover Mr. Alex Obi-Odunukwe and

Mr. Oscar Odogwu invaded the sacred grounds of our complex is one they

fraudulently contrived and invoked in a stale and illegitimate lawsuit in which

neither our dear Association, Balogun Business Association, nor members of this

Caretaker Committee are parties.”

“In other words, Balogun Business Association, either in its plain name or in its

capacity as a body corporate and registered Association, is not a party to the

suit.

And neither this incumbent Caretaker Committee No any of its members are

parties to this abusive and contemptuous lawsuit.”

Mr. Alex Obi-Odunukwe and Mr. Oscar Odogwu, consumed and propelled by a

combustible mix of inordinate ambition and desperation have done the

unthinkable by brazenly deceiving, misinforming and manipulating both the

Court and the Nigeria Police Force to levy execution of a purported judgment

against Balogun Business Association, the Caretaker Committee of the

Association and members of the Caretaker Committee of the Association who

are not parties to their contemptuous lawsuit!”

“And to make matters worse for these two desperado and their confederates

who claim to have been “elected” as members of a phantom “executive council”

of their own imagination at an hotel in Mile 2, Lagos, their illegitimate lawsuit

was wangled by them and unleashed on the Court AFTER the Federal High Court

had specifically in Suit No.”

FHC/ABJ/CS/579/2021(Incorporated Trustees of Balogun Business Association & Others versus Inspector General of Police &

Others) and Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/451/2021(Incorporated Trustees of Balogun

Business Association & Others versus Corporate Affairs Commission & Others)

made orders, decisions and pronouncements which effectively invalidated and

nullified the comedy of errors that masqueraded as “elections” at Villa Park

Hotel!The above two suits and the orders, decisions and pronouncements made by

the Federal High Court predated the now infamous and contemptuous lawsuit

of Mr. Oscar Odogwu, Mr. Alex Obi-Odunukwe and their confederates, and the

orders, decisions and pronouncements of the Federal High Court in the above

two cases(Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/579/2021 and Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/451/2021)

are still subsisting!”

“In fact the two suits came up before the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday,

20th of November, 2023 and have been further adjourned by the Court to the

19th of December, 2023!

In the circumstances, we hereby advise our beloved members, stakeholders,

affiliates and esteemed customers to remain calm and law-abiding while this

Caretaker Committee, in exercise of its lawful management and administration

of the Association and the ICC, attends to the toxic and noxious shenanigans of

these fifth columnists who by all indications are mere scouts for some ambitious

predators that have in recent times set their sights on the ICC and the Association under various covers, including false environmental and sanitation concerns.”

“The Association and this incumbent Caretaker Committee is backed and

sustained not only by the subsisting orders, decisions of the Federal High Court

in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/579/2021 and Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/451/2021, but by

subsisting judgments of the Federal High.

Crisis Rocks BBA Again: Thugs Backed By Heavily Armed Police Detachment Invades Market

By Ifeoma Ikem

society

POCACOV Takes Fight Against Cultism And Bullying To Schools In Edo

Published

2 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Sahara Weekly

POCACOV Intensifies Sensitization on Cultism, Bullying, and Social Vices Among Students in Edo

In commemoration of the 2026 National Police Day Celebration, the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), Edo State Command, has reinforced its preventive policing efforts through a targeted sensitization outreach at Igbinedion Education Centre, Benin City.

The initiative forms part of the broader activities marking this year’s National Police Day, themed “Community Partnership: Building Trust,” which emphasizes collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the public in fostering a safer society.

The sensitization programme witnessed the presence of key stakeholders, including the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, the Police Public Relations Officer, and the Edo State POCACOV Coordinator, ASP Kingsley Upeh. The team engaged students in an insightful and impactful session focused on the dangers of cultism, bullying, and other social vices prevalent among youths.

During the session, students were educated on the severe and far-reaching consequences of cult-related activities. These include violence, loss of lives, disruption of academic pursuits, and long-term damage to personal reputation and future opportunities. The speakers also highlighted how peer pressure, drug abuse, and negative social influences often serve as gateways into criminal behavior.

In an interactive segment, the Commissioner of Police stressed the legal implications of engaging in criminal acts, noting that involvement in cultism and related offences could lead to arrest, prosecution, and lifelong consequences that may hinder personal growth and career aspirations.

The issue of bullying was also extensively addressed, with emphasis on both its legal ramifications and psychological impact on victims. Students were encouraged to speak up against bullying, report incidents to school authorities or law enforcement, and support peers who may be affected.

Furthermore, the outreach underscored the importance of self-discipline, moral values, and making informed life choices. Students were urged to become ambassadors of peace within their schools and communities by rejecting violence and promoting unity and mutual respect.

The POCACOV team reiterated its commitment to continuous engagement with young people through awareness campaigns, community outreach, and strategic partnerships aimed at preventing crime before it occurs. The initiative aligns with the Nigeria Police Force’s proactive approach to policing, which prioritizes education, prevention, and community involvement.

society

COAS Launches Nationwide Security Renewal Mission in Plateau

Published

13 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Sahara Weekly

COAS Launches Nationwide Security Renewal Mission in Plateau

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Thursday led a high-level delegation of security chiefs to Plateau State, flagging off a nationwide security renewal mission aimed at strengthening civil-military cooperation and restoring lasting peace across the country.

The visit to Jos, the Plateau State capital, marks the first phase of a coordinated national effort to address persistent security challenges through joint operations, community engagement, and proactive intelligence gathering.

Governor Caleb Muftwang received the delegation, describing the initiative as a critical step toward stabilizing affected communities and reinforcing public confidence in security institutions.

Civil-Military Synergy Takes Centre Stage

At the heart of the mission is a renewed emphasis on collaboration between the military, civil authorities, and local communities. Speaking during the visit, Lt. Gen. Shaibu stressed that national security must be treated as a collective responsibility.

He urged citizens to support security agencies by remaining vigilant, sharing credible information, and complying with lawful directives, noting that effective security cannot be achieved in isolation.

Community Engagement as Confidence-Building Tool

In a departure from purely operational engagements, the Army Chief held direct consultations with community leaders and residents in Jos, reinforcing the importance of trust and dialogue in conflict resolution.

Lawmakers, including Dachung Bagos and Ladi Dangyok, commended the initiative, stating that visible engagement by top military leadership helps rebuild confidence among citizens and fosters cooperation.

Proactive Security Operations Underway

Operational updates were provided by Major General Folusho Oyinlola, who disclosed that troops under Operation Enduring Peace have intensified surveillance, intelligence-led patrols, and coordinated actions with other security agencies.

According to the Army, the approach is designed to prevent escalation of threats, safeguard lives and property, and stabilize vulnerable communities before crises emerge.

A Shift Toward Sustainable Peace

Military authorities emphasized that the Plateau visit is part of a broader, long-term strategy to transition from reactive responses to sustainable peacebuilding nationwide. The framework includes strengthening local resilience, ensuring justice, and maintaining continuous engagement with stakeholders.

Analysts view the initiative as a significant policy shift, reflecting a more inclusive security architecture that integrates community participation with military operations.

Call for National Unity

The Army leadership concluded with an appeal to Nigerians to reject divisive narratives and support ongoing efforts to promote unity and peace.

“The success of this mission depends not only on the armed forces but on the cooperation of every citizen,” the COAS stated.

The nationwide security renewal campaign is expected to extend to other regions in the coming weeks as authorities seek to consolidate gains and build a safer, more unified Nigeria.

society

IGP Disu Visits Plateau, Orders Tactical Deployment To Reinforce Security

Published

16 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Sahara Weekly

IGP Disu Visits Plateau, Orders Tactical Deployment To Reinforce Security

The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Thursday paid a working visit to Plateau State following recent unrest, holding strategic talks with Governor Caleb Muftwang on measures to strengthen security and prevent further disturbances.

As part of immediate steps to stabilise the situation, the police chief authorised the deployment of specialised tactical units to support officers already on ground across affected areas.

Governor Muftwang commended the swift intervention of the police leadership, praising the dedication and professionalism of security personnel working to restore calm. He also acknowledged the efforts of mobile police officers and lauded the leadership of the state’s Commissioner of Police, Bassey Ewah.

Both the Nigeria Police Force and the Plateau State Government reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding lives and property, stressing that enhanced collaboration remains key to restoring lasting peace in Plateau State, popularly known as the Home of Peace and Tourism.