Oyo State Government on Monday assured traders from the South-South geo-political zone, resident in the state, of adequate protection.
The traders had raised the alarm over the activities of people they described as “bad elements” parading themselves as government agents.
The 'agents' were said to be extorting the unsuspecting traders with a threat to seal off their shops if they failed to pay some fees.
The traders raised the alarm on Sunday in a statement by the President, South-South indigenes in Oyo State, Michael Obasohon.
The state Commissioner for Environment and Habitat, Chief 'Lowo Obisesan, in a statement on Monday, stated that actions were being taken to address the situation.
The statement read, “The Oyo State Government has once again re-assured traders in the state, most especially the South-South traders who cried out over extortion of their members by some people parading themselves as agent of government, of adequate care and provision of modern market.”
It stated that all affected traders would be given priority in the ongoing arrangement to relocate and resettle them.
The statement further read, “Our South-South traders are no longer strangers in Ibadan, but sons and daughters of Ibadan and would be so treated.”
