Oyo State has enforced a Sunday trading ban at Gbagi Market over rising insecurity.
Officials say the move aims to restore order and protect traders and customers.
The Oyo State Government has officially enforced a ban on Sunday trading at the Bola Ige International Business Complex, popularly known as Gbagi Market in Ibadan, effective from Sunday, July 27, 2025.
The Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives, and Industry, Mr. Adeniyi Adebisi, disclosed this in a statement released on Thursday by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Dotun Oyelade.
Adebisi explained that the move followed several consultations with market leaders and stakeholders, aimed at curbing rising insecurity and restoring order at the popular market. According to him, criminal activities have become more frequent on Sundays when the market is usually less busy, prompting the need for urgent government action.
He stated that the Sunday ban had originally been introduced by the market leadership to ensure safety and order, but some traders had continued to ignore it. Their actions, he said, created security threats and disrupted the peace of the market environment.
“We cannot sit back and watch a few bad elements ruin the reputation of this great market,” he said. “Following thorough review and discussion with market stakeholders, we agreed that strict enforcement is essential for the safety of traders and customers.”
To ensure full compliance, a task force will now be stationed at the market every Sunday to prevent any form of trading or business activity. Adebisi clarified that this was not a new policy but a reinforcement of the existing rule with government backing.
He added that market leaders have expressed support for the renewed enforcement and assured the government of their full cooperation.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olajide Okesade, emphasized that both the government and trading community must work together to maintain order. He reassured traders of the government’s dedication to keeping the market safe.
Gbagi Market is one of the largest textile and general goods hubs in the Southwest, and the state government has urged all traders and the public to respect the enforcement order. Offenders, the statement warned, will face sanctions under existing laws.
