South-East Traders in Ifo Shut Market Over Fatal Attack on Blessing Eze
A wave of grief and anger has gripped the South-East trader community in Ifo, Ogun State, following the death of Blessing Eze, an Igbo businesswoman allegedly killed by touts demanding “festival taxes” during Eid Mubarak celebrations.
The incident, which occurred on Friday, June 6, 2025, has sparked a four-day shutdown of businesses as traders demand justice and systemic change.
Eyewitnesses and survivors revealed that touts approached traders in the bustling Ifo market, insisting each pay ₦1,500 to mark the Eid Mubarak festival.
Blessing Eze, unable to comply due to financial constraints, reportedly pleaded with the enforcers to return later.
However, tensions escalated when the touts allegedly vandalized her goods, prompting Eze to confront one of them. During the altercation, she was stabbed in the chest, leading to her death.
Chiamaka Eze, a fellow trader who recounted the harrowing details to SaharaReporters, emphasized that Blessing had “no intention of refusing payment” but requested time.
“They destroyed her inventory, and when she demanded they restore order, one of them attacked her,” Chiamaka said.
The Igbo Market Union, led by Simon Uchenna, has condemned the act, linking it to a pattern of harassment faced by traders.
“This isn’t isolated. For years, these touts have extorted us with impunity,” Uchenna stated, citing a prior case where a trader’s wife was stabbed by the son of a local market head, Waheed, without legal consequences.
Traders allege that such violence thrives due to systemic inaction.
“When we reported last year’s attack, police advised us to drop the case because the suspect’s father is connected,” one member disclosed.
The union has declared a four-day mourning period, during which South-East traders will boycott market activities until authorities arrest those responsible.
They also demand stricter security measures and an end to forced “levies” disguised as cultural practices.
Okoye Chizoba, a grieving trader, criticized the normalization of violence, adding, “These men threaten your life, and the system turns a blind eye. When will our government protect us?”
The closure has disrupted commerce in Ifo, with both traders and customers expressing outrage. As protests persist, calls for accountability echo louder, with Eze’s death becoming a grim symbol of unchecked extortion and institutional neglect.
“Justice for Blessing” has become the rallying cry, as mourners vow to amplify their struggle until systemic reforms are realized.
