BOJIJA MARKET CLOSED JULY 9TH FOR PRAYERS FOR MURDERED TRADERS.

POPULAR Bodija Market in Ibadan was shut down on Tuesday as traders held prayer sessions for the repose of their dead colleagues who were murdered penultimate week on their way to Munguno Market in Borno State.

The two prayer sessions — Christian and Islamic were led by Pastor Isaiah Fajuyagbe Adesola of Christ Apostilic Church, Oke-Imole, Moniya, Ibadan and the Chief Imam Ogo-Oluwa Central Mosque, Imam Abdul Wahab Mahmud held at the market with hundreds of traders in attendance.

Pastor Fajuyagbe, in his sermon entitled “Incidents happening around,” enjoined the traders to always seek the face of God, and led them in prayer points. The minister also prayed for the executive members of the traders.

Also, Imam Mahmud called on the traders to abide by the warning of Prophet Mohammed (SAW) who warned his followers to stay away from war zones. In the same vein, he led prayers for the repose of the dead traders and prayed against such occurrences.

Speaking, the chairman, Ibadan Foodstuff Sellers Association, Alhaji Lekan Azeez, said the market was closed as a mark of honour for their departed colleagues.

He said: “We’re all in a mourning mood and that is why the market was shut down. We’re sorry for some of our colleagues who might be affected one way or the other, but we’ve all agreed on it since the incident happened.”

The chairman Arewa Trading Association, Alhaji Garba Uwa, said the Hausa community in Bodija were also in the same mood

The chairman Arewa Trading Association, Alhaji Garba Uwa, said the Hausa community in Bodija were also in the same mood with their colleagues, saying, “even the Hausas living in the Northern part of the country are scared of the dreaded sect and thanked the Yoruba for their understanding of the situation.

He, however, promised that the Hausa community was ready to continue its support to the traders.

Oyo State Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Cooperatives, Adebayo Olagbenro, urged the traders to cooperate amidst the current situation and promised the state government’s support.

Also, a member of the state House of Assembly, Honourable Olusegun Olaleye, who was also present at the prayer sessions urged the traders to further demonstrate cooperation among themselves.

Present at the prayer sessions were the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) representatives, led by the Oyo State chairman, Baale Bodija community, Alhaji Jimoh Oyeranmi, Alhaji Rasheed Abdulsalam, representatives of traders from Bola Ige Market and New Gbagi, Ibadan.

May Thier Soul Rest In Peace