The Nasarawa State Government has directed the immediate shutdown of the Lafia Modern Market due to worsening sanitary conditions at the facility.
According to Vanguard, the State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Margaret Elayo, led ministry officials and security personnel to seal the market in Lafia on Tuesday.
Elayo stated that the action was taken after traders repeatedly ignored warnings to improve hygiene and keep the market environment clean.
She said, “The market would remain closed until the traders’ leadership mobilises members to clean and sanitise the premises to make it fit for business operations.”
Some traders, though disappointed by the closure, pledged to cooperate with the government to restore cleanliness in the market.
As of the time of filing this report, all entrances to the market had been locked, with security personnel and environmental sanitation officers stationed at the gates to enforce compliance.
Observers say the sanitary conditions of markets across the state remain appalling, calling for urgent action to address the negligence and poor hygiene practices among traders.
