The Lagos State Police Command has described the recent protest by traders at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex over the activities of Chinese retailers as the work of a few “miscreants” and “disgruntled fellows”.
The command said those behind the protest had been cautioned and would be arrested, while assuring Nigerians and foreign investors that the situation at the complex remained calm.
The Area ‘E’ Commander of the Lagos State Police Command, ACP Chike Oti, stated this on Tuesday during a briefing at the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association market in the Trade Fair Complex, Lagos.
Oti, who spoke alongside the Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, Prince Lanre Sanusi, officials of ASPMDA, other security agencies and representatives of the Chinese community, said there had been no fight at the market.
He said, “I want to assure all Nigerians and foreign investors that there is peace, security and tranquillity within the complex.
“This is just the handiwork of a few miscreants, few disgruntled fellows in the market, a handful of them that went the other way. They have been cautioned and arrests will be made as soon as possible.
“There’s no problem. Everything is peaceful. There was no fight at all. Everything is okay, peaceful and calm.”
The protest occurred at markets within the Trade Fair Complex after Nigerian traders raised concerns over the activities of Chinese nationals, particularly their alleged involvement in retail sales.
The traders alleged that some Chinese businesses had moved beyond wholesale operations to sell directly to consumers. They argued that the ability of the businesses to import goods directly from China allowed them to offer prices that local retailers struggled to compete with.
The protesters demanded that Chinese vendors stop retail trading within the market, with some displaying placards bearing messages including, “The Chinese must go.”
However, the President of ASPMDA, Nnamdi Ngozi Emechebe, described the incident as a minor protest that was quickly brought under control.
He said the market leadership had also held a meeting on Tuesday to resolve issues arising from the incident.
“What happened here yesterday is a minor protest, which was brought under control immediately. But, you know, the news has gone very viral.
“We even held further meeting this morning to harmonise all issues. The fake news was brought under control.
“So, I’m assuring the rest of the world and Nigerians at large that there’s no issue in ASPMDA Plaza. We are a highly organised trade association, so everything is under our control,” he said.
The Amuwo-Odofin council chairman, Sanusi, said security agencies, including the Department of State Services, Nigeria Immigration Service and the police, were present at the market to assess the situation.
He maintained that there was no dispute between Nigerian and Chinese traders operating in the market.
“We are just here to let the community, Lagosians and Nigerians and everybody around the world know that here in Amuwo-Odofin, Trade Fair Market, ASPMDA, we don’t have any problem between the traders, Chinese and the Nigerians here. Everything is fine,” Sanusi said.
Sanusi said he had briefed the officials on the situation and expressed confidence that the state government would receive a proper report.
He also commended the security agencies and market leadership for their intervention.
A representative of the Chinese community in ASPMDA said Chinese traders were continuing to conduct their businesses peacefully at the market.
“Every day we are open and do business very peacefully and the customer like all the products here,” she said.
She added that ASPMDA remained peaceful and urged customers from different parts of Nigeria to continue patronising businesses at the market.
“We are believing ASPMDA Association have the ability to handle the business and make it peace, and Nigeria is good market. We are enjoying and happy with it,” she said.
Speaking in Mandarin, the Chinese representative said Nigeria provided opportunities for people seeking to establish businesses.
“Nigeria is a very big market, and everyone can find opportunities here. Everyone is welcome to come and take a look, to find opportunities to do business,” she said.
The protest and subsequent briefing came amid complaints from some Nigerian traders about competition from Chinese businesses operating within the Trade Fair Complex.
The traders alleged that some Chinese retailers were bypassing traditional distribution channels by selling directly to consumers, which they said was affecting their businesses.
They also called for dialogue between Chinese businesses, Nigerian traders and relevant authorities to resolve the dispute.
At Tuesday’s briefing, however, the police and market authorities said the situation had been brought under control, while representatives of the Chinese community maintained that they remained committed to conducting business in Nigeria.