Insecurity: Group kicks against reopening of cattle market in Odolu Kabba

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An organization known as the Concerned Citizens of Kabba and neighboring communities has voiced strong opposition to the proposed reopening of the cattle market located in Odolu, within the Kabba Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

This stance was made public through a statement issued on Tuesday and endorsed by High Chief Adewale Ojo, who holds the title of Obaradeyo of Oweland.

In the statement, he appealed to traditional rulers, local authorities, community elders, and all natives of Okunland to unite in solidarity and collectively oppose the initiative to transform the Odolu Market into a cattle trading hub.

The statement reads in part “We, the concerned citizens of Kabba and its surrounding communities, unequivocally express our strong opposition to the reopening of the cattle market at Odolu, Kabba—wrongly referred to in some quarters as the “Sango market.”

“This plan, coming closely on the heels of the closure of the Iyara cattle market due to escalating insecurity, is not only ill-advised but also dangerously out of touch with the realities on the ground.

“First and foremost, let the records be clear: the official name of the market in question is Odolu Market, Kabba, not Sango Market. This market was established in the 1980s by the old Kwara State Government as a regular community market, not a cattle market.

“For environmental and public health reasons, the cattle market that once existed closer to Kabba was relocated about nine years ago by Chief Funsho Otu, during his tenure as the Local Government Chairman, to Ayere Road.

“That designated site was rejected by the traders, who instead moved their operations to Iyara. The rationale behind that relocation still stands today: Odolu Market is situated in a fully residential area, and its conversion into a cattle market poses grave environmental, health, and security hazards to the community.

“We must not make the costly mistake of prioritizing short-term economic convenience over long-term safety, health, and community harmony. The situation in other regions such as Jos has shown us what can happen when land is carelessly ceded and security concerns are ignored. Indigenous people lose not just land, but peace, identity, and security.

“Furthermore, it is important to note that over 100 lock-up shops in the Odolu Market have already been fully paid for by regular traders. How can we realistically expect peaceful and productive coexistence between these regular traders and cattle dealers within the same constrained space? The potential for conflict, contamination, and logistical chaos is too great to ignore.

We are not opposed to lawful trade or peaceful commerce. However, the reopening of the Odolu Market as a cattle market is simply unacceptable.

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“The best and most logical course of action is for the government to reopen the Iyara cattle market, and to implement robust regulatory and security frameworks that will make it functional and safe not just for the traders, but for the surrounding communities as well. Let us defend our land, protect our people, and preserve our peace. Let us act now before it is too late”.

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