Ogun West yam traders allege extortion in Oyo

Yam and foodstuff sellers under the aegis of Ogun West Yam Sellers Association of Nigeria, (OWYASAN), have appealed to Oyo State Police Commissioner, Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Oyo State branch, the Commissioner for Agriculture, his counterpart in the Ministry of Commerce and Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo, to rescue them from some people extorting money from them in Ibarapa Division of Oyo State.In a letter to the commissioner of Police and signed by Abiodun Taiwo, Fatai Akande and Chief Jimoh Ilo, the group, made up seven different associations, explained that their dilemma began three weeks ago when a group called Isokan Irewolede Owolowo Yam Sellers Association, started mounting barricades on the road to illegally collect money from yam sellers who were not members of their association.'This move came to us as a surprise because at no time did we as traders association, agree with any group or association to collect levies on our behalf or on the behalf of our mother unions i.e. Binukonu Foodstuff Dealers Association and Isokan Yam and Foodstuff Dealers Association.'During these illegal operations, our members were assaulted and their wares vandalised by officials of the said Isokan Irewolede Owolowo Yam Sellers Association.'In order to allow peace to reign, our officials on 9 August, 2012, met the group at Maya market and requested them to stop the illegal act, but they vowed to continue, claiming that they have the backings of powers that be, including the police, to mount road blocks and collect levies from traders.'The association also posited that only persons who belonged to such association can be forced to pay dues, levies and subscriptions to the coffers of such association.Speaking further, the National Secretary of OWYASAN, Mr Abiodun Taiwo, explained that the action of the group forcefully extorting money from traders in Maya, Elekokan, Igbo Ora and Iseyin was nothing but an invitation to mayhem, anarchy and a break down of peace which the association does not want to happen.Chief Jimoh Ilo, the Yewa Chairman of OWYASAN and his Ado Odo/Ota Local Government counterpart, Fatai Akande, appealed to the police authority and the Oyo State government to call the officials of Isokan Irewolede Owolowo Yam Sellers Association to order so that Oyo State markets would not be turned to battle ground.
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