the ED/CEO of the LITFCMB, Barr. Vera Ndanusa listening to the Chairman of Stakeholders, Chief Eric Ilechukwu, who was responding on behalf of the stakeholders to the address of the ED/CEO at aPress Confrence in management office on Monday, May 4, 2026. Photo: Business Hilights
…As BBA Exco Petitions IG on Hoodlums Invasion
The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board (LITFCMB), Barr. Vera Safiya Ndanusa, has made it clear that the currently sealed business premises of Balogun Business Association (BBA) shall remain under lock and keys of the Nigerian Police pending when the leaders of the association will fish out the killers of one of the complex’s Taskforce member.
It would be recalled that on Sunday, May 3, 2026, some yet to be identified business owners in BBA, clashed with the taskforce members over the erection of container attachments which resulted in the death of one even as others sustained injuries.
Addressing members of the Trade Fair Stakeholders Association (TFSA) on Monday in her officer, Ndanusa said “The Trade Fair Management Board strongly condemns, in the most unequivocal terms, the violent and reprehensible attack on members of the Management Taskforce on Sunday, May 3, 2026, within the BBA axis of the complex”.
“The taskforce was duly deployed following credible intelligence regarding the erection of unauthorized structures within the complex—an act which contravenes established regulations guiding operations within the complex. While carrying out their lawful duties within the complex, the team came under gunfire.
While revealing that the gunfire resulted in the death of one and injuries for another three, the ED made it clear that “Any breach of peace or security within the complex not only threatens lives and property, but also undermines investor confidence, disrupts commercial activities, and projects a deeply negative image to the international community regarding safety and stability.”
“This incident is a direct assault on the rule of law and the collective efforts to maintain order, safety, and a conducive business environment within the complex.
She noted that the management under her watch will never tolerate any form of lawlessness and acts capable of jeopardizing the integrity and reputation of the complex as a secure international trade destination.
She made it further clear that the Board aligns firmly with the Renewed Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu, which she explained that prioritizes economic revitalization, enhanced security and the creation of an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
On the way forward, Ndanusa noted that “We are working closely with relevant security agencies to ensure that all those responsible for this heinous act are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice even as measures are on ground to enhance security surveillance and operational control in the complex to prevent any reoccurrence.
While sounding it clear before the stakeholders that “In the interim, I have ordered the total closure of the BBA Cluster of the complex until the perpetrators are apprehended or voluntarily submit themselves to the authorities, “All operators in the complex are mandatorily required to comply with all orders and directives issued by the LITFCMB in order to ensure peace and order in the complex.
Concluding, the ED/CEO noted that “The management Board reassures all stakeholders, traders, investors, and the international business community of its unwavering commitment to maintain a safe, orderly and business-friendly environment at all times. A minute of silence was observed for the dead after her address.
Responding, the chairman of Stakeholders, Chief Eric Ilechukwu on behalf of the entire stakeholders condemned the killing and assured that the joint efforts of the association in the resolution of the matter as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Business Hilights.ng gathered from a usually reliable source in the complex that the Executive Council of the BBA Cluster, had written a petition to the IGP over the incident.
On the actual day the BBA Cluster will be reopened for business, the ED/CEO made it clear that she can only order the Police to open the cluster as soon as the killers are in the custody of the relevant security agency for prosecution in line with the extant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
