There’s a lot of atrocities going on in Ibo dominated markets in Lagos.
The reason they insist on Dominating the Executives of these markets is to protect their criminal interests.
I will use Using Purchasing a TV in Ladipo market as an example.
So on a bright clear day. You set out to buy a TV and a neighbour Mentions to you that you should try Ladipo.
“They have plenty Warehouse, and the stuff is Original and Cheap”
In fact, they add that:
“The Non-tested is the best segment of the Market. The goods are straight from inside container. They sell them cheaply, because they haven’t been tested, But you have a 90% guarantee that the gadgets are working”
So, you set out to Ladipo to buy a Beautiful Flat Screen TV
The Moment you enter Ladipo Market, A market dominated by Ibos, you will be accosted by their Touts… They will hustle and harass you until they drag you to a Shop of their own Choosing.
He wont take you to a proper Shop, He takes you to where they sell Non-Tested.
You just got Setup, but you don’t know it yet
SideNote:
The way they paint it on this App, you will think Thuggery and Touting was Exclusively a Yoruba thing.
You prize the TV and see that it’s somewhat cheap, so you’re motivated to close the deal
They goad you to pay and when you ask for the equipment to be tested, they tell you to “follow this man.” Mr Man will now tell you that it’s N500 to test.
Before you test the TV, they’ll tell you you need to buy remote… They need remote to press the buttons, So you’re forced to part with another N2,500 – N5000, and another Vendor (This is now the 4th person) will sell you the remote.
They’ll tell you that “EVERYBODY GET HIM JOB FOR HERE”
It is only After you pay for testing, that you realize that the TV is not even working.
Mr Tester now tells you it’s none of his Business “No be me sell TV for you”
If you prove difficult, they will “Gather you”. If you don’t seem like a threat, you’ll now start hearing sermons…
Na so E dey happen, Only 10-20% of Non-tested dey work.
Na your luck no pick the one wey dey work. Etc
SUMMARY:
You have to pay for repairs. Which might end up to be as exorbitant, as much as half the price you for the TV.
Any attempt by you too protest will be meet with massive bullying and intimidation. They would either gang up against you, or gang up around the seller, insulating him from any perceived threat from you.
So, you are mega intimidated and you throw in the towel and pay for the repairs, and the remote.
The system works like a “criminal operation” or a “mafia,” where everyone involved is complicit in maintaining the scheme for their mutual gain. Just like the mafia, they work like a well oiled machine.
Nobody in the chain messes with the other person’s job, because that is how they can chop so much from so little effort
These practices are detrimental to the local economy, especially for Yoruba people
Which is the reason why they don’t want a Yoruba Man in the Mix. It makes it difficult for them to perpetrate their evil
The question is What are the Traditional Rulers of these domains looking at? Or have they sold their birthright for a morsel of food?
What are the respective LGs doing?
What Jurisdiction does the Iyaloja/Babaloja General cover?
Who and who is supposed to ensure that Yorubas are not ripped off in Yoruba land by those who will turn round and use your money to in turn buy your land and call your land no man’s land.
Yoruba, Wake up. hold your leaders to account. Press their necks, make them take action to preserve our Heritage.
©Damola Adenle