By Catherine Attah
Monday, September 19, 2005

Sanity seems to be returning to the notorious Oluwole market in Lagos. This followed a massive raid on the market by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, September 3 during which 100 persons were arrested.

Oluwole market is a big centre of crime in Lagos. It is better known as centre for forging of documents such as travelers cheques, official stamps of government parastatals, corporate bodies, international passports and driver's license.

When Newswatch visited the ever-busy Oluwole market last week, the place was still deserted. Some residents of the area who spoke to Newswatch on condition of nonymity, said the raid was welcome. Said one resident of the area: "For more than ten years, we have been battling with series of crimes in this area. All sorts of fraudulent activities go on here on a daily basis but since the EFCC came to our rescue the story is now different. We are extremely happy because we now have some bit of peace and calm in this vicinity compared to what it used to be in the past," the source said.

Funke Adetusa, another resident of the area told Newswatch that after the raid, picture of Oluwole has changed and noted that it has reduced tension that were hitherto their lot in the area. "Since the EFCC came in here things have really fallen apart for the fraudsters. We don't see many of them here anymore. They are afraid of being arrested and this has greatly reduced tension by a great margin. Now residents are feeling as if they have been relieved of a big burden."

In the past, the "Oluwole Boys" wreaked a lot of havoc on corporate organisations across Nigeria and indeed the rest of the world. Quite a number of bank workers among the other professionals have lost their jobs as a result of the notorious activities of these hoodlums.

Osita Nwaja, EFCC spokesman told Newswatch that the raid was carried out in conjunction with the police. To EFCC, the recent raid on Oluwole is part of the battle Nuhu Ribadu, its chairman, to wipe out crime in the country. "Our strategies are intact and our security operatives are sneezing the nooks and crannies of Nigeria to pin down all princes of deceit and their haven of respite and solace," Osita said.

Olubode Ojajuni, the Lagos State police spokesman, explained that the recent raid on Oluwole market was a directive of the presidency following incessant complaints by financial institutions and the general public over shady deals being transacted at the market. "We are putting things in order and working in tandem with corporate bodies and members of the public to win the battle. Fraudsters within the country should beware because we are on their trail. Our desire is to restore the good image of this country and an enabling environment for individuals and corporate safety to do their legitimate business," he said.