By Damilola Kushimo
The leadership of Ilasamaja International Market has commended the police for the relocation of the burnt Ilasamaja police station to the market.
While assessing their effects since the station has been relocated to the market, the market leaders said the presence of policemen has been worthwhile, insisting that the station should be permanently domiciled in the market.
According to them, the experience of the community during the short time the police operated from Area D following the EndSARS crisis was terrible before the police were brought back to the community to carry out their security surveillance.
Ilasamaja Divisional Police Station was later moved to a building built by the community inside the market following the destruction of the former station along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway during the EndSARS crisis.
The police were asked to temporarily occupy one of the two uncompleted buildings in the market while waiting for the local government to complete a new police station as promised.
Initially, the traders in the market went against the decision that the police be relocated to the market as they were afraid that market activities would be disrupted by the their presence.
However, the traders told our correspondent who visited the market last week that there has been a cordial and smooth relationship between the police and the traders.
They added that the police have supported them security for traders and customers.
One of the market leaders, Prince Tajudeen Dosunmu, explained that relocation of police to the market premises has favoured them as the police have helped in dislodging miscreants and hoodlums who had made some parts of the markets their hideouts.
His words: “What made people fear in the first place was what happened to those closest to the police station when the EndSARS issue broke out. Their properties were not spared. But since they (the police) joined us here in the market, we’ve been enjoying a cordial relationship with them. They are under control and they have been complying with us. At first, people were afraid of moving around in the market but we have enlightened them that the police do not disturb their market activities. Their presence has helped us in tightening the security of the market.”
He, however, urged the local government to complete the police station for the police officers to have conducive offices.
He also appealed to the government to repair the dilapidated Abimbola Way which has posed a great challenge to the market.
He, therefore, advised intending shop owners to take advantage of the available shops in the market premises while encouraging customers to patronise the market as the best destination for their needs.
