Outrage as Igbo Trader Allegedly Killed Over Market Levy in Ogun: Ohanaeze Youths Demand Justice

 

A deep wave of outrage has swept across the country following the reported murder of an Igbo trader, Blessing Eze, at the Ifo Market in Ogun State. The tragedy, which has been widely condemned by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, is being linked to an alleged enforcement of a controversial market levy.

Eyewitness accounts and local sources reveal that Blessing Eze, a trader of Igbo origin, lost her life after refusing to comply with a N1,500 religious levy that had allegedly been imposed on traders in the area. It is claimed that the fee was being enforced by a group posing as government officials. According to multiple reports, Eze’s resistance led to a violent confrontation that ended in her being fatally stabbed in the chest.

This incident has fueled existing tensions surrounding the treatment of Igbo citizens residing in various parts of Nigeria, particularly in the South West. The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, the apex youth body representing young Igbo voices nationwide, is leading calls for swift and transparent action.

National President of the Council, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, minced no words in condemning the act and decried what he described as a continuing pattern of hostility against Igbo people in regions outside the South-East. He emphasized that the murder of Blessing Eze was not an isolated case but part of a disturbing trend of marginalization and violence that must no longer be tolerated.

According to Okwu, the Ogun State Government must do more than offer condolences. “We demand full disclosure from the authorities. What really transpired at Ifo Market that led to the killing of Blessing Eze? Who were the individuals responsible, and what connections, if any, do they have with state authorities or local unions?” he asked.

He stressed that silence or inaction by the state government would be interpreted as complicity, noting that the state bears the responsibility of ensuring the safety and protection of all residents, irrespective of ethnicity or religion. Okwu further urged Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration to address the matter publicly, provide updates on investigations, and ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done.

The Ohanaeze Youth Council has gone a step further by calling on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to assume control of the investigation. Citing a potential conflict of interest or lack of urgency at the state level, the Council argued that only a federal-led probe could assure the victim’s family and the wider Igbo community of a credible process.

“The IGP must not remain a passive observer in this matter,” Okwu said. “The police headquarters must immediately take over the case to prevent any attempt to sweep the matter under the rug. This is not just about one person; it’s about justice for an entire people who feel increasingly alienated and unsafe.”

Reports from market traders suggest that this so-called religious levy has been a source of friction for some time. Traders of diverse religious backgrounds have expressed unease with the imposition, alleging that it violates their freedom of belief and is enforced with threats of violence.

Human rights activists have also begun to weigh in. Several organizations have described the levy as illegal and unconstitutional, and they are joining the chorus demanding accountability. Some have hinted at taking legal action against both the market authorities and the state government, should evidence emerge that such a levy was sanctioned or ignored by officials.

Blessing Eze’s death has reignited conversations around religious freedom, ethnic relations, and the role of local government structures in either fueling or curbing discrimination. Her story has also gained traction on social media, with users across Nigeria expressing horror at the idea that a refusal to pay a religious tax could cost someone their life.

As the outrage grows, so too does the pressure on Ogun State authorities to act decisively. The longer the silence persists, the more the public’s trust in local law enforcement erodes, making it even more critical that justice is delivered swiftly and transparently.

For the family of Blessing Eze, the loss is immeasurable. For the larger Igbo community, it is a painful reminder of the precariousness of their place in parts of the country. The coming days will determine whether Nigeria’s institutions will rise to meet this moment or allow another senseless death to fade into obscurity.