South-East traders in Ifo, Ogun State, have shut down their businesses in protest over the stabbing to death of an Igbo woman, Ms. Blessing Eze, by touts allegedly collecting Sallah festival levies.
In retaliation, the man accused of fatally stabbing the trader was lynched by an angry mob in the Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The suspect was brutally attacked by enraged citizens shortly after he killed his victim on Friday.
Following the stabbing, the suspect and his accomplices reportedly fled the scene.
But the mob gave chase, caught up with the assailant, and beat him severely.
A senior police officer in the area, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the suspect died while being rushed to the hospital.
“It was a mob attack. He was badly injured and died while being taken to the hospital. He was confirmed dead on arrival by the doctors,” the officer said.
When asked about the steps being taken to restore order, the officer noted that community engagement and security meetings were ongoing.
“Everything is now peaceful. The police had a meeting with the Igbo community, and we have planned another for tomorrow (Monday). The police are on top of the situation,” he added.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred on Friday, June 6, 2025, during the Eid Mubarak festival, when traders were asked to pay ₦1500 each.
She reportedly refused to pay, citing lack of funds, and was subsequently stabbed in the chest by one of the touts.
Chiamaka Eze, a trader in the market who spoke to SaharaReporters on telephone on Saturday narrated: “The incident happened on Friday being yesterday when some touts began taxing traders over the Eid Mubarak festival of Muslim faithfuls that took place yesterday. Each trader was asked to pay ₦1500.
“When the men got to Mrs. Eze’‘s stand she told them she didn’t have the money as at the time they came, and pleaded that they should come back. As touts that they are, they started destroying her goods, during which she dragged one of them and asked him to arrange her goods properly and come back.
“That’s how one of them stabbed her on the chest which later led to her death.”
Fellow traders said that the boys had been in the habit of harassing the market women.
An Igbo Market Union member, Simon Uchenna, said: “Before this woman’s death, we had been experiencing assault and intimidation from these touts.”
He said that the market union has declared a four-day mourning period, during which Igbo traders will not display goods and will instead focus on protesting.
They are calling on the Ogun State Government to intervene and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We implore the Ogun State Government to intervene and make sure the perpetrators are brought to book,” the union member added.
One market member recounted a similar incident from last year, where his wife was stabbed by the son of the Baba Loja (market head), Waheed.
“Nigeria will always be what it is, where killers will tell you to your face that they will kill you and nothing will happen,” the trader lamented.
They are also calling for increased security measures to protect traders and prevent such incidents in the future.
The shutdown of businesses has caused significant disruptions to the market, with many traders and customers alike expressing shock and sadness over the incident.
The market union has vowed to continue the protest until justice is served and the perpetrators are brought to book.
