Abia Assembly condemns ‘Systematic Economic Attack’ on Igbos in Lagos

The Abia State House of Assembly on Tuesday condemned the recent demolition of plazas and business structures belonging to Igbo traders at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos, describing the act as “targeted, insensitive and economically dangerous.”

The assembly urged President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to immediately intervene to stop what it called “systematic economic attacks” on Igbo traders in Lagos and ensure compensation for affected business owners.

The resolution follows an urgent public interest motion raised by Hon. Nnamdi Ibekwe, representing the Bende North constituency, during the plenary in Umuahia on Tuesday.

Ibekwe expressed concern over reports that bulldozers deployed by the Lagos state government had destroyed several plazas within Alaba and the trade commercial axis, where many Igbo businessmen operate. “This demolition has left hundreds of our people stranded and their investments running into billions of naira destroyed without adequate notice or compensation,” he said.

He called on the Abia State House of Assembly to “urge President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to immediately intervene to restore order and prevent further attacks on the Igbo community in Lagos.”

Speaker of the house, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, who chaired the session, condemned what he described as double standards in governance and unequal treatment of Nigerian citizens based on ethnicity. “Most of us agree that the continued harassment and economic targeting of Igbo traders in Lagos is beyond the pale and goes against the spirit of one Nigeria, unless there is something we don’t know,” Emeruwa said. “We can only urge the president to show mercy and ensure justice. Every citizen deserves basic human rights, and it would be tragic for the government’s actions to destroy lives and livelihoods without recourse to due process.”

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The Speaker further directed the House Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs to liaise with the southeastern legislature and other national representatives to present a joint petition before the National Assembly.

Tuesday’s debate in Umuahia adds to growing public anger over the controversial demolition that has rocked Lagos in recent weeks. The Lagos State Government has defended the exercise, claiming that the affected structures violated urban planning regulations and were built on land acquired by the government. However, this move has sparked widespread criticism, especially from the southeast, where many see it as a deliberate economic attack on Igbo traders who dominate trade at the trading market, Alaba, and Ladipo markets.

The demolitions, which began in mid-September, have reportedly displaced thousands of traders and sparked tensions among business associations and ethnic unions. Several groups, including Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Southeast Governors Forum, have called for an immediate halt to the exercise, citing the devastating impact on small and medium businesses.

Reinforcing this sentiment, Ibekwe said the Abia State House of Assembly cannot remain silent while citizens of the region “suffer unjustly under the guise of urban renewal.” He stressed that the assembly’s call for intervention was not political but humanitarian and constitutional. “This is about fairness, justice and equality before the law,” he said.

Emeruwa concluded by urging continued dialogue between Lagos authorities and the southeast leadership to prevent further escalation. “Nigeria’s unity depends on justice,” he said. “No part of the country should feel victimized for conducting legitimate business.”