The recent announcement by the Department of
State Security that the dreaded Boko Haram sect
has moved into Lagos and Enugu has led to
widespread tension and fear in the states.

Ever since the security agency made the
revelation in a press statement on Sunday,
residents have not stopped discussing the
ominous implications of the development in the
states.

The DSS on Sunday had announced the arrest of
20 suspected Boko Haram commanders in Lagos,
Kano, Enugu, Plateau and Gombe states
between July 8 and August 25, 2015. Some of
the suspects were said to have masterminded
suicide attacks in Potiskum, Kano, Zaria, and Jos.

The Baba Oloja (market leader) at Owotuntun,
Okrika, Kaatangwa market, Lagos, Badmus
Aboderin, said there has been palpable tension
among traders since the DSS announced the
arrests.

Aboderin said market leaders had been holding
prayer sessions and holding meetings with
security agencies to secure the market from
Boko Haram attack.

He said, “We have told our traders to be more
observant and we have also been meeting with
security operatives to checkmate any planned
attack on the market. We pray to God every
Thursday to avert any danger from the market.”

Also, traders at Oba Ogunji market, Agege,
Lagos, expressed fear over the development.

The market’s General Secretary, Alhaji Lukman
Lamidi, said the market had employed
measures to safeguard their shops.

He said, “We’re afraid because we don’t want
anybody to destroy our market or Lagos for us,
which is why we drive everyone away from the
market by 6.30pm daily.

“We don’t want anyone to hide in our shops at
night and we have also been holding meetings
with the police in the area. We disseminate any
information we get from the police to the
traders to ensure security.”

A trader at Yisa market, Lagos, Adedeji Ajayi,
said he and some other traders had put their
lives in God’s hands, urging the government to
efficiently monitor the influx of migrants into the
state.

“God will expose anyone who plans evil here but
at the same time, there are too many people in
Lagos who have no business here,” he said.

Fears of possible Boko Haram attacks has also
been more pronounced among traders in major
markets like Ogbete main market, Artisan
market, Kenyata market, Mami market, New
Haven market, Mayor market and Relief market
in Enugu.

Our correspondent observed that transporters
and travellers in the major motor parks in the
city are afraid of the Boko Haram sect.

Some traders who spoke to our correspondent
expressed concern at the presence of the Boko
Haram sect in Enugu.

Mr. Obinna Ozo, who deals in curtains and
fabrics in Kenyata market, said most traders in
the market had been apprehensive since the
DSS made the revelation.

Ozo urged the state and federal governments to
beef up security in the market.

He noted that reports from the North East had
shown that Boko Haram usually target markets
because of the large number of casualties that
could be recorded in such attacks.

He said, “Traders here are apprehensive, we are
worried.

“Normally I look forward to coming to my shop
here six days in a week, we don’t open on
Sundays, but now I am not so comfortable in
the market.

“Who knows when Boko Haram will strike? There
are many people here, who can tell who is a
terrorist or someone who came to buy, or even
sell?
“It is so fearful, everyday we hear in the news
that one market or the other was bombed in
Maiduguri and other areas in the north, and
now we have been told that Boko Haram is in
Enugu. I wonder how safe we are.”

Another trader, Amadi Nwobodo, who has a
provisions shop in Ogbete main market, told our
correspondent that he was considering moving
his business out of the market.

Nwobodo said he would be more secured if his
shop was located in a residential area.
He said, “I am thinking of relocating my shop to
a less crowded place, preferably a residential
area.

“Experience has shown that crowded places like
this market are easy targets for Boko Haram.

“I don’t feel safe in the market anymore but I
pray that God will continue to protect us.

“I am not the only one that is worried; other
traders here will tell you the same thing, even
customers too.”

http://www.punchng.com/news/boko-haram-tension-in-lagos-enugu-markets-over-dss-arrests/

That's the terrorist's change.

If ever a bomb goes off in ogbete market, the death toll will be unaccountable. That market is always choked plus the small small bus parks beside it.

May God have mercy!

Mbaka should lead this fight on security in Enugu state.

This is bad news mehhnñ. I hope moslems realise that it meabs people will almost ban covered women from entering their shops or even the market?

RIDICULOUS

The death package has been circulated, only God will protect us from the plan of the enemy.