Traders from the South-East region operating in Ifo, Ogun State, have closed their shops in protest over the killing of an Igbo woman, Blessing Eze, who was allegedly stabbed by touts demanding payment of a so-called festival tax.
The incident, which occurred on Friday, June 6, 2025, during Eid Mubarak celebrations, has triggered outrage and calls for justice.
According to eyewitness accounts, touts reportedly demanded ₦1500 from each trader as a levy for the festival.
Eze, who was said to be financially constrained at the time, allegedly refused to pay and was fatally stabbed during a confrontation.
Chiamaka Eze, a fellow trader, shared details of the incident in a phone interview with SaharaReporters on Saturday:
“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.”
She further explained how events escalated when they got to Blessing Eze’s stall:
“On getting to late Mrs Eze, 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.”
“She said she would pay but she didn’t have the money as of that time because she had not sold anything. That’s how one of them stabbed her on the chest which later led to her death.”
Simon Uchenna, a member of the Igbo Market Union, condemned the killing and described a history of intimidation:
“We are mourning the loss of one of our own, and we demand justice. Before this woman’s death, we had been experiencing assault and intimidation from those group of touts.”
He said the union had declared a four-day mourning period, during which Igbo traders will not open their shops.
“We implore the Ogun State Government to intervene and make sure the perpetrators are brought to book,” he added.
The protests are not only in reaction to Eze’s murder but also to years of unchecked harassment by street tax collectors. One market member recalled another violent incident from the previous year involving the son of the Baba Loja (market head), Waheed:
“Despite reporting the incident to the police, he was advised to drop the case due to the suspect’s alleged connections.”
“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.
Other traders echoed the same concerns, calling for protection and regulation.
“Festival money shouldn’t be by force, it should have been something of free will,” said Okoye Chizoba.
“True to their words, they will kill you and nothing will happen. Human lives mean nothing to everyone, even those (government) whose duty is to protect you from killers.”
The closure of businesses has led to significant disruption in Ifo’s markets, as both traders and customers react with shock and grief.
The market union has vowed not to resume business activities until those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.
“May her soul rest in peace,” the traders said in a solemn tribute to Blessing Eze.
