Traders at Dugbe Market in Ibadan have expressed concern over declining sales and the high cost of renting shops in private complexes, while some have accused market youth leaders of assaulting traders and seizing their goods.
In separate interviews with Ibadan City Announcer, traders and buyers described how economic pressures, accommodation costs and customer relations were affecting activities at the market.
Located in Ibadan North-West Local Government Area, Dugbe Market is a popular destination for new and fairly used clothing, commonly called okrika, for men, women and children.
Uche, a trader who sells men’s and women’s wear, said he was born in Ibadan and grew up in the market, where his parents also trade.
He said little had changed over the years, apart from the decline in sales and the rising cost of securing a shop.
“Shops are now very expensive,” he said, putting the cost of renting one at about ₦6 million.
Uche said shops in the new private complexes being developed within the market were beyond the reach of ordinary traders, adding that the cost had prevented him from getting his own shop.
Another trader, Yusuf Akanji, who sells baggy jeans, said he relocated from Ijebu Ode to Ibadan, spent four years learning the business and recently established his own outlet.
He said sales had dropped sharply since he began trading and accused the government of neglecting the market.
Although Akanji described the amount he pays the management of his complex for a small kiosk space as reasonable, he urged the government to look into what he described as excessive rents charged in some private complexes.
Beyond the challenges facing their businesses, some traders raised concerns about their safety and the conduct of market youth leaders, popularly known as “Ogas”.
One trader, Oluwakunmi, alleged that he was among the young traders beaten by the leaders earlier on the day of the interview.
He claimed the dispute began three days earlier, following a visit by politician Remi Oseni, who gave money to some youths at the market. According to Oluwakunmi, the youth leaders subsequently demanded the money from those who received it, leading to a confrontation.
He alleged that some traders were beaten, others were forced out of the market and their goods were seized. He further claimed that those whose goods were taken were asked to pay ₦10,000 before collecting them.
Oluwakunmi said the leaders were elected by traders but accused them of failing to protect their interests.
He added that traders had protested against the previous executives before electing the current leadership, “not knowing they will do more harm”.
Akanji offered a different view of the incident. He said he was not beaten and believed those attacked deserved the treatment. He added that he did not receive any of the money distributed during the politician’s visit, although some people close to him did.
The accounts provided did not include a response from the market youth leaders to the allegations.
Buyers also spoke about rising prices and the attitude of some traders towards customers.
Mrs Oluwabukola, a long-standing customer who buys clothes for herself and her family, said the economic situation had affected both prices and shoppers’ purchasing power.
She described customer service at the market as mixed, saying some traders were courteous while others insulted prospective buyers.
At the children’s okrika section, Engr. Olawale Oladele said he preferred fairly used clothes because, in his experience, they were of better quality and lasted longer than some new items.
He said he was buying durable clothes for his child, but noted that the economic situation had made goods more expensive.
Oladele also urged traders to improve their approach to customers, saying that while some were friendly and welcoming, others behaved as though buyers were not paying for their purchases.
