By Our Reporter

For many traders and late shoppers at Lafia Main Market, a visit that stretches past 6:00 p.m. comes with an unofficial price: a mandatory ₦50 fee to exit the premises, a practice some are now calling outright extortion.

According to multiple accounts from traders and market users, the two main gates of the Lafia Main Market are routinely locked at exactly 6:00 p.m. each day. While the closure time aligns with the market’s official hours, those still within the premises at the time are required to pay a ₦50 “exit fee” to be allowed out through a single gate.

“It’s been like this since the market was commissioned,” said a trader who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation. “If you’re not out before 6:00 p.m., they will not open the gate for you unless you pay. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a trader, a customer, or even a child.”

Several market users describe the practice as exploitative, pointing out that the fees collected do not appear to be officially remitted to the state or local government.

“Where is the money going?” asked a shop owner. “There is no receipt, no accountability, and yet it has become a norm. This is nothing but daily extortion under the guise of enforcing closing hours.”

The market, one of the largest commercial hubs in Nasarawa State, plays a vital role in the state’s economy. However, concerns are mounting about the lack of oversight and transparency in its management.

Legal experts suggest that while markets can enforce operating hours, any monetary charge should be documented, receipted, and approved by a government authority, especially when enforced by personnel acting in an official capacity.

“If market authorities or gatekeepers are charging people to leave a public market after hours, that’s not just unethical, it could be illegal,” said a local lawyer who specializes in public policy. “The absence of receipts and remittance makes it appear as a personal or unauthorized collection.”

At press time, efforts to reach the Market Management for comment were unsuccessful. Local authorities have also not responded to inquiries regarding oversight or the legal framework guiding such collections.

Some affected users have called on the Nasarawa State Government and anti-corruption agencies to investigate the matter and put a stop to what they describe as a long-running extortion scheme.

“If the market closes at 6 p.m., then gates should be open for safe exit, not turned into a toll collection point,” said another trader. “We are not asking for much, just fairness and accountability.”

As the calls for transparency grow louder, market users hope that shedding light on the practice will prompt government action, restore public trust, and ensure that Lafia Main Market serves the people not exploit them.