Grief and renewed demands for justice marked the burial of six traders killed during a violent confrontation at the Owode Onirin International Motor Spare Parts Market in Ketu, Lagos, as families insisted that those behind the tragedy must be fully prosecuted.
The victims, whose deaths occurred during a controversial operation at the market on August 27, 2025, now widely dubbed “Black Wednesday”, were interred in Ikorodu amid tears and lingering anger over the circumstances surrounding their killing.
The burial rites commenced at the Ikorodu General Hospital, where relatives and sympathisers gathered in a sombre atmosphere to receive the bodies before proceeding to Igbogbo for interment.
Eyewitnesses had linked the incident to tensions triggered by a disputed demolition exercise within the market located in the Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area.
The situation reportedly escalated after traders resisted the move, culminating in gunfire that claimed six lives.
Those killed were identified as Seyi Akinboye, Adeoye Taiwo, Dare Mufutau, Aderemi Hakeem, Abraham Temoola, and Wale Adebayo.
At the funeral, grieving relatives described the deceased as breadwinners whose deaths have plunged their families into hardship, while calling for swift justice.
“They were innocent men struggling to make ends meet. Those responsible must not go unpunished,” a family member said.
Although four police officers, Manu Bala, Jibrin Samaila, Ibrahim Garuba, and Ibrahim Kashimu, have been arraigned over the killings on charges bordering on conspiracy and murder, the victims’ families expressed frustration over what they described as slow progress in the case.
They alleged that a key figure believed to have ordered the operation had yet to face prosecution, urging authorities to ensure that all culpable persons are brought to justice.
Human rights organisations also condemned the incident, demanding an independent investigation and adequate compensation for the bereaved families.
Chairman of the market, Abiodun Ahmed, reaffirmed the traders’ resolve to pursue justice, stressing that the case would not be abandoned until all those responsible are held accountable.