Shop owners in Ilorin faced a rude awakening yesterday, May 12, 2024 as over 200 shops along Government House Road down to Challenge were demolished to pave the way for a new development project. The demolition, which was reportedly authorized by the Kwara State Government, left many Shop owners distraught, with some claiming they were given little to no warning.

Witnesses reported that the demolition was unexpected, with some shop owners receiving phone calls just hours before to remove their items. The urgency caused chaos, with claims of some items being stolen during the rapid evacuation process. One shop owner remarked that he had just recently renewed his lease for over N600,000 naira.

Although there was no violence during the demolition, the store owners who were impacted are extremely distressed due to the lack of notice and the loss of their livelihoods. It is unknown at this moment whether the government provided compensation or relocation aid.

This incident is likely to provoke discussion about the appropriate balance between development projects and the demands of small companies. We will continue to follow this story and bring you more information as it becomes available.

The post Over 200 Shops Demolished in Ilorin first appeared on Opinion Nigeria.