Alaba traders shut bank over land issue

Traders at Alaba International Market, yesterday, shut down a new generation bank in the market over alleged encroachment on land belonging to one of them.

The traders, in a peaceful protest, closed their shops and paralysed the activities at the bank for hours, chanting solidarity songs.

The Chairman of Alaba International Amalgamated Traders Association, Mr. Paul Chijioke, said: “Sometime last year, one of our members in the market reported the encroachment on his land by the bank.”

He said the executives of the market contacted the bank’s management, who accepted that they encroached on the land, but that the bank reneged on their promise to settle out-of-court and compensate the owner.