The Lagos State Police Command has moved to arrest some traders involved in a protest at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex over alleged retail activities by Chinese businesses, dismissing the demonstration as the action of a handful of “miscreants” and “disgruntled fellows”.
The command, however, said the situation at the complex was peaceful on Tuesday, despite complaints from Nigerian traders over competition from Chinese retailers operating within the market.
The Area ‘E’ Commander of the Lagos State Police Command, ACP Chike Oti, gave the clarification during a briefing at the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPMDA) market in the Trade Fair Complex.
Oti appeared alongside the Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, Prince Lanre Sanusi, officials of ASPMDA, representatives of other security agencies and members of the Chinese business community.
He said there had been no physical confrontation between Nigerian and Chinese traders at the market.
“I want to assure all Nigerians and foreign investors that there is peace, security and tranquillity within the complex,” the police commander said.
Oti said the protest was the handiwork of a small group within the market and disclosed that those involved had been cautioned.
“This is just the handiwork of a few miscreants, few disgruntled fellows in the market, a handful of them that went the other way. They have been cautioned and arrests will be made as soon as possible,” he said.
The protest followed complaints from Nigerian traders who accused some Chinese businesses of moving from wholesale distribution into direct retail sales.
The traders contend that Chinese operators who import goods directly from manufacturers in China have a pricing advantage over local retailers who purchase through established distribution channels. They called for Chinese vendors to stop selling directly to consumers within the market.
Some protesters reportedly carried placards, including one bearing the message, “The Chinese must go.”
The demonstration generated significant attention online and prompted security agencies and market officials to convene at the complex to assess the situation.
President of ASPMDA, Nnamdi Ngozi Emechebe, described the incident as a minor protest that was quickly contained.
“What happened here yesterday is a minor protest, which was brought under control immediately. But, you know, the news has gone very viral,” Emechebe said.
He disclosed that market leaders held another meeting on Tuesday to address issues arising from the demonstration.
“We even held further meeting this morning to harmonise all issues. The fake news was brought under control,” he added.
Emechebe assured traders and members of the public that the association had the situation under control.
“We are a highly organised trade association, so everything is under our control,” he said.
The Amuwo-Odofin council chairman also rejected suggestions of a dispute between Nigerian and Chinese traders at the complex.
Sanusi said personnel from the police, Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) were present to evaluate the situation and obtain firsthand information.
“We are just here to let the community, Lagosians and Nigerians and everybody around the world know that here in Amuwo-Odofin, Trade Fair Market, ASPMDA, we don’t have any problem between the traders, Chinese and the Nigerians here. Everything is fine,” he said.
A representative of the Chinese community at ASPMDA similarly said Chinese traders were conducting their businesses without disruption.
“Every day we are open and do business very peacefully and the customer like all the products here,” she said.
She also described Nigeria as a market with opportunities for foreign investors and called on customers to continue patronising businesses at ASPMDA.
“Nigeria is a very big market, and everyone can find opportunities here. Everyone is welcome to come and take a look, to find opportunities to do business,” she said in Mandarin.
Despite the assurances from the police, market authorities and Chinese representatives, the dispute over retail trading points to a commercial disagreement that predates Tuesday’s protest.
Nigerian traders have called for discussions involving local businesses, Chinese operators and relevant authorities to clarify the rules governing wholesale and retail activities within the complex.
The police, meanwhile, have shifted attention to maintaining order and identifying those considered responsible for the protest.
Oti reiterated that the Trade Fair Complex was calm, saying, “There’s no problem. Everything is peaceful. There was no fight at all. Everything is okay, peaceful and calm.”
While security officials insist that there was no breakdown of order, Nigerian traders are still pressing their concerns over market competition and the commercial activities of foreign operators.
The authorities’ next steps will determine whether the underlying disagreement is settled through dialogue or develops into another confrontation at one of Lagos’ major commercial hubs.
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