The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this announcement on Monday, citing the need for a comprehensive evaluation of environmental compliance, waste management practices, and overall cleanliness within the market.

Emphasizing the non-negotiable importance of issues related to the environment, public health, and safety, Mr. Wahab declared that the government would not stand idly by as these essential values were compromised by the actions of a few individuals.

“We cannot continue to be nonchalant about our environment. Our negative attitude towards the environment must stop.

”The way we treat the environment, is the way the environment treats us. We cannot fold our arms and allow the nonchalance of a few, affect the generality of the people.

“Following full compliance with environmental standards and safety measures earlier listed as precondition for reopening shut markets, the Lagos State Government has ordered immediate reopening of Mile 12 International Market.

“Inspite of several advocacy and public enlightenment, government is left with no choice than to enforce. The enforcement exercise will be a continuous one, as no Government takes delight in shutting down markets,” Wahab said.

He urged the traders to play by the rules of acceptable standards, putting premium on hygiene for their health and that of the public, stressing that the government will not shy away from shutting down any market that returns to old filthy ways.

According to a video posted on social media, gunfire were heard in the neighborhood, and many people ran for cover.

The Lagos-Ikorodu Expressway was taken over by some alleged thugs in the area, Mile 12, Ojota, and Ketu, who also turned on some passengers by hitting them.

However, Benjamin Hundeyin, a spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, claimed that after the event, things were back to normal.

“Free movement of vehicles and people fully restored. Our officers and men are still on the ground to prevent any breakdown of law and order,” he tweeted on his handle. “If you see something, say something.”

The protest came hours after President Muhammadu Buhari said while the old N1,000 and N500 are no longer legal tenders, the N200 banknotes will still be in use until April 10, 2023.

He made the comment in a nationwide broadcast on Thursday where he also empathized with Nigerians over the crisis created by the naira swap policy of the Federal Government.

“To further ease the supply pressure, particularly on our citizens, I have given approval to the CBN that the old N200 bank notes be released back into circulation and it should also be allowed to circulate as legal tender with the new N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes for 60 days from February 10, 2023, to April 10, 2023, when the old N200 note ceases to be legal tender,” he said.

Buhari lamented the volume of banknotes outside the banking system.

“The proportion of currency outside banks grew from 78%in 2015 to 85% in 2022. As of October 2022, therefore, currency in circulation had risen to N3.23 trillion; out of which only N500 billion was within the Banking System while N2.7 trillion remained permanently outside the system; thereby distorting the financial policy and efficient management of inflation,” the President said.

“The huge volume of Bank Notes outside the banking system has proven to be practically unavailable for economic activities and by implication, retard the attainment of potential economic growth.”

On Friday morning, suspected louts in Mile 12, Ketu and Ojota areas on the expressway, took to the road attacking commuters and creating chaos.

A driver, attached to one of the cab-hailing firms operating in the state who does not want his name in print over fears of harassment, said he had to turn into one of the streets due to the chaos.

Tweeps, who shared details of the ongoing fighting in the area, alleged they could hear sounds of gunshots.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, has confirmed the unrest happening in the Mile 12 area of Lagos State.

He made this known via his Twitter handle on Friday.

Responding to a tweet asking the PPRO to confirm the rumour, Hundeyin replied, “ It is true. Our men are there. Reinforcement units have been deployed. Stay safe out there as we closely monitor and manage the situation.”