Ogun LG chairman suspends activities of Iyaloja in Mowe market over extortion

The Chairman of Obafemi Owode Local Government in Ogun State, Lanre Ogunsola, has suspended the activities of the Iyaloja in Mowe market for six months over extortion and imposition of exorbitant levies on the traders.
The council boss also ordered that no one is permitted to carry out any activities of Iyaloja within Mowe market throughout the six months.
DAILY POST learnt that the suspension followed a tussle between two factions claiming the position of Iyaloja, which had prompted a protest by the Association of Mowe Market Men and Women.
The protest, held last Tuesday at the Mowe market drew crowds of vendors, residents and youths who called on the Ogun State Government to intervene.
The suspension however, followed a meeting held at Ogunsola’s office on Wednesday, which had in attendance top personnel of the Area Command and Divisions of Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Security Services, DSS, National Orientation Agency, NOA, community leaders and traditional chiefs, as well other stakeholders in the local government.
The chairman, while maintaining that selfish interest would not be tolerated, ordered security operatives to be on the look out for anyone or group of people who violates the order.
He said, “As we all know that Obafemi Owode Local Government is a gateway to many cities and states in the South-West, we cannot fold our arms and allow things to degenerate before we take necessary action.
“Installation of Iyaloja is not the business of the local government, rather the duty of the traditional chiefs to choose their Iyaloja and as a government, we can’t allow selfish interest to overrule the peace and security of our people, and I hereby pronounce the activities of Iyaloja in Mowe market suspended for six months, effective from today 29th April, 2025.”
He further constituted a seven-man caretaker committee to act within the period.
The members include Nurudeen Alowonle, Babaloja of Mowe market as Chairman of the committee, Ajobola Olanrewaju as Secretary, Mrs Ganiyat Ogunleye as Member, Olusegun Adebayo as member, Rasidi Adenekan as member, Opeodu Rotimi as the Director of Finance .
Ogun LG chairman suspends activities of Iyaloja in Mowe market over extortion