IBADAN, NIGERIA — An Oyo State mobile court has sentenced several traders to three months imprisonment or a fine of N30,000 for selling goods along roads and public spaces in Ibadan, as part of the state government’s intensified crackdown on environmental violations and street trading.
The sentences, handed down on Friday, follow a series of enforcement operations carried out by the Oyo State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in collaboration with security agencies. The traders were arrested for displaying their wares on road medians, pedestrian walkways, and other prohibited public spaces, a practice the government says contributes to traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and safety hazards.
The mobile court, presided over by a magistrate, found the traders guilty of violating the state’s environmental and public space regulations. The magistrate described the practice of street trading as “a menace that must be curbed,” noting that it impedes the free flow of traffic and poses a risk to the safety of both traders and road users.
The Oyo State Government has intensified its efforts to enforce environmental laws, with a focus on curbing street trading and the indiscriminate dumping of refuse. The state has also engaged in the clearing of illegal structures and the removal of street traders from major roads and public spaces.
The enforcement actions have been met with mixed reactions, with some residents supporting the government’s efforts to restore order and ensure a clean environment, while others have expressed concern over the impact of the crackdown on the livelihoods of petty traders. The government has, however, maintained that it will not relent in its efforts to enforce environmental laws.
The traders sentenced by the mobile court were given the option of paying a fine of N30,000 or serving three months in prison. The sentences serve as a warning to other traders who continue to flout the state’s environmental regulations.
The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing environmental laws and ensuring that Ibadan is free from indiscriminate street trading. The government has urged residents to cooperate with the enforcement agencies and to report any environmental violations to the appropriate authorities. The state has also announced plans to provide designated markets and trading spaces for traders to operate legally, as part of efforts to address the root causes of street trading. As the enforcement continues, the government has assured the public that it will strike a balance between enforcement and the welfare of traders.
