The Nasarawa State Government has sealed off the Lafia Modern Market over what it described as worsening sanitary conditions within the facility.
The State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Margaret Elayo, led a team of ministry officials and security personnel to shut down the market on Tuesday in Lafia.
Elayo said the decision followed several warnings to traders to improve hygiene and maintain a clean environment, which were ignored.
“The market will remain closed until the traders’ leadership mobilises members to clean and sanitise the premises to make it suitable for business,” she said.
Traders expressed disappointment over the closure but promised to work with the government to restore cleanliness in the market.
At the time of filing this report, all entrances to the market had been locked, with security officers and environmental sanitation officials stationed at the gates to ensure full compliance.
Residents have continued to express concern over the poor sanitary state of markets across the state, urging the government to enforce strict hygiene rules to prevent disease outbreaks.
Earlier in October, the Lagos State Government also shut down the Itedo Market in Lekki for repeated environmental violations and illegal roadside trading, arresting five people during the operation.
