HEARTBREAK IN BALOGUN: Traders Tear-Gassed, Goods Trapped as Lagos Govt Launches Sudden Demolition Weeks After Deadly Christmas Fire

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Fresh anguish has gripped hundreds of traders at the historic Balogun Market as bulldozers moved in without warning to demolish shops, leaving merchandise and personal belongings locked inside the collapsing structures.

Viral videos shared widely on social media capture the chaotic scenes: heavy machinery at work, clouds of tear gas filling the air, and desperate traders – many still traumatized by the devastating December 24, 2025 Christmas Eve inferno – pleading for the chance to salvage what remains of their livelihoods.Here are raw moments from the ongoing demolition that have shocked Nigerians nationwide:

In one emotional clip, a female trader fights back tears as she confronts the authorities: “No notice was given. People’s goods were still inside their shops during the demolition. Some shop owners haven’t even returned from the Christmas holidays. They even tear-gassed us so we couldn’t pack our goods and belongings.”

Another voice captured the cruel double blow: “Hundreds are stranded and helpless as their shops are being demolished with their goods inside. We’re just recovering from the Balogun Market fire outbreak that claimed several lives and destroyed goods and properties worth billions.

“Now, without any notice, the Lagos State Government is demolishing our shops.”

The action follows the tragic fire that engulfed the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building, killing at least eight people, trapping others under rubble, and causing losses estimated in billions of naira.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had ordered the demolition of the burnt-out structure and nearby unsafe buildings after structural assessments, while sealing off the area for safety.

These haunting images show the charred aftermath of the Christmas Eve blaze that set the stage for today’s crisis:

However, reports from traders indicate the current operations have affected additional shops beyond the initially declared unsafe zone, catching many completely off-guard during the post-holiday period. The market – one of Lagos’ oldest and busiest commercial hubs – remains partially sealed, with traders decrying the prolonged closure that has already crippled their businesses.

Social media is ablaze with outrage, demands for compensation, urgent government dialogue, and accountability. Many question the timing and execution of the demolitions so soon after the fire tragedy.

As the dust (and tear gas) settles, the Balogun Market crisis has reignited urgent conversations about urban safety, trader support, and humane urban renewal in Nigeria’s economic capital.