By RAJI RASAK

The Royal Council in Badagry, Lagos State, has again shutdown the Agbalata International Market in the area for three days, to complete its traditional rites, following the death of the Akran of Badagry.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Akran of Badagry Kingdom, De Wheno Menu-Toyi 1, died at 89, after a brief illness on Monday.

The market was first closed on Tuesday to carryout some traditional rites.

Chief Tunde Giro, the Depegan of Badagry kingdom and member of Akran Royal Council, told NAN in an interview that the market would be shutdown to complete the rites.

According to him, the market will be closed for three days, from Thursday , Jan.15, Monday, Jan. 19 and Wednesday Jan. 21 to complete the traditional rites for the late paramount ruler.

Giro said that traditional town criers had been sent to the market and all important places to brief the people of the development.

Chief Alabi Abole, the Babaloja of Agbalata , who also spoke to NAN, said that they had earlier sent a notice of the closure to market groups and traders in the market.

Abole said the closure was part of the traditional rites to mark the transition of the Akran of Badagry to the realm of his ancestors.

“Although tradition allows a continuous seven-day market closure following the transition of a King, community leaders adopted a staggered approach to reduce the impact on traders.

He added that a meeting involving chiefs, the king’s children, white cap chiefs, and elders of Jegba reached a consensus on the selected closure days.

“We agreed to close the market today, Jan.15, 19 and 21, marking the three days.

“Jan.19, will mark the seventh day, and Wednesday Jan. 21 will mark the ninth day,” he stated,

“The decision was taken to give the departed king his full respect,” he said.

NAN correspondent who visited the market, reports that shops were closed and movements were restricted around the palace and market areas.

Youths barricaded major access roads from Agbalata through Topo Garage.

Vehicular movement, including motorcycles, were halted, while commuters were redirected to alternative routes leading to the Badagry market. (NAN)