Why we shut Bodija market – Babaloja

The Babaloja (Market Leader) of Bodija Foodstuff Market, Alhaji Ismail Aderemi, says the market was shut on Wednesday night to forestall destruction of lives and property during the nationwide protest if hijacked by hoodlums.

Aderemi, who is also a factional Babaloja of Oyo State, told the newsmen on Thursday in Ibadan that the market was also shut down to protect the lives and goods of the traders.

“We gave the order on Wednesday night that the market be shut ahead of the Thursday nationwide protest. We had an agreement with the police to help parade the market for security and safety,” he said.

On the need for a reduction in the prices of foodstuffs to cushion the effect of inflation, Aderemi said no trader was told to hike the price of goods.

“If we try it at Bodija, can we also do the same in other markets in Ibadan? Market men and women too are buying things like every other Nigerian. What we buy is what we sell.

“The money we used to use to buy 10 trailer loads of rice is what we are now using to buy one trailer,” he said.

Aderemi advised traders to work with the government to bring down the prices of foodstuffs, adding that they should not try to make excessive profits at the expense of the buyers.