Etim Effiong
Owners of grocery stores and shops, or kiosks at Laara mini-market, and mechanic workshops at Laara Igbe in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State have shut their businesses despite police presence in the community.
It was learnt that residents of the area had been warned not to open their businesses as Monday was (December 14, 2020) eight days since one of the landowners, popularly known as ‘Omo ni ile’ was killed by a cult group from Elepe.
Added, Monday was said to be the day to avenge the killings of residents or indigenes of Laara by hoodlums from Elepe, and this, it was learnt would lead to loss of lives and property.
A police source, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said they have been at Laara junction before 6 am to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
An owner of an electrical shop, who did not want his name in print for fear of attack, said owning a business at Laara is the worst thing anyone can conceive for himself.
According to him, since the beginning of December, they have not opened their shop more than a day and a half. He noted that whenever they are in the shop, their minds are not often at peace as anything can happen.
He lamented: “My brother, I am tired of this place. I came to this place from Surulere barely a year or so ago. I never knew relocating to this place will be the costly mistake I will ever make in my life, otherwise, I would remain in Surulere as a tenant and manage my business there.
“The rent from the shop I rented is running and very soon this year will end, and the landlord will demand another rent. Where will I get another rent to pay when I have not been to sell anything owing to frequent cult attacks?
“I am tired of the entire thing. I don’t even know where I will get another money to rent a shop somewhere else. I am at a fixed.”
A woman who trades in pepper told our correspondent that she got injured during Sunday shooting, where five people were shot dead and scores sustained gunshot injuries.
“Laara is different from we knew it then. In one of the attacks, I fell and got injured seriously. Doing business here is unprofitable and it’s like soldiers going to war. If you are lucky you return home alive and if not, you perish by the hoodlum’s firepower. It is as bad as that,” she said.