I will start by quoting Edmund Burke where he stated “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Yesterday after a busy day at work I was just on my stroll on nairaland front-page when a particular topic caught my attention I carefully read all the comments and I think it's necessary to create this topic to correct notions identify many issues concerning the market and business related activities and set the record straight.

Alaba international market is a very big market(biggest electronics market in west-africa) even though we have the electrical section,industrial section, fancy and furniture section that is categorised , each of this section of the market have their union leader with a task force set up in over seeing the day to day activities of the Market. The electronics section is splitted into two the IMAE( You get most of the new electronics here and also tokunbo though not major) and is headed by the able leadership of Evangelist Paulinus Ugochukwu( MD sound prince company limited) then the St Peter's axis this where you get most of your tokunbo items.

As a first timer at Alaba you will be approached by a lot of osoafia hustlers some are genuine(looking for their daily bread and hustling to better their lives) while most of them are there to rip you off without conscience now most times they work on your greed, someone will approach you to tell you he will give you a Samsung 32" LED TV for 15k and so many outrageous prices like that if you fall for this first and cheap scam then you are your way to come create more topics about how you were scammed at Alaba.

These scammers and fraudsters have their rings and are connected it's likely you don't escape their bitter pill when you fall in the hand of one of them the best to do is to be wary of their subtle devices. It's worthy to also note that these set of people are both Yoruba and Igbos because it was terribly seeing so many people playing the tribal game and associating a particular tribe to the cheap scam that happens daily, the Yoruba osoafia guy will approach you and poison your mind on why you shouldn't patronise a Igbo guy and with trust you believe him the same thing an Igbo guy will do too(note that are all same ring both the Yoruba and Igbos) their major aim is to rip you off.

I stated earlier that there are task force that handles all the issues concerning each section of the market the main thing is identifying the section you transacted from and go and report immediately , identify the task force chairman it will be easier solving your case.

There are alot of genuine and hardworking traders in the market the same way you can't Cross out the bad guys in such a big market like that(they always have their way round) the only thing is making sure you are observant and detect any shady deals before paying for an item, read the receipt issued to you before signing.

And lastly that an item is tokunbo doesn't mean it should go for an outrageous pricing unless you are buying non tested, some particular item in tokunbo are costlier then the new ones (depending on the country of import and manufacturer).

A submission from a trader at Alaba int'l market Ojo Lagos

Thanks for this piece OP! I think the most important thing is to ensure people have redress after being duped. It is always certain that people will be duped.

Thanks a lot for this.

Wey DAT tribal bastard donproject make hin come read ooh as hin dey shout yesterday for small change wey dem cheat am like say na ndigbo fault hin no smart

I hope you're about to tell us that the market leaders have resolve unanimously to stamp out those bad eggs to redeem the image of the market.

They should inform their members that anyone his shop is used in defrauding someone will be expell from the market simple.

Then they'll use one to three people as an example and this reoccurring madness will come to an end.


Failure to do so will indicates that all of them are together in scamming people and will not help the market too.

Lothario:
Wey DAT tribal bastard donproject make hin come read ooh as hin dey shout yesterday for small change wey dem cheat am like say na ndigbo fault hin no smart

Heart of a normal man is pure and innate at birth. He comes to the world and start learning different things, behavioral pattern, how to speak, how to do basic things. His environment plays a role in what he becomes.

I said heart of a normal man , I didn't say heart of an Igbo, their hearts are pre-configured to dupe, extort, trick their unsuspecting victims at birth. It is this dirt that they carry all around and they start dispersing to different geographical location, mixing and mingling with the locals, corrupting them in the process.

This pattern can be likened to the plague the world is facing now, COVID-19, you know the story of where it started, it was not contained within the demographic space it was discovered, and boom! It becomes a pandemic. Igbos are like that virus corrupting other tribes wherever they go.

Stop quoting me kid, you can't have your way...

This one is medicine after death. As far as there are no punitive measures in place to deal with those dubious miscreants in that market. My best advice is for a new person is to stay away.

Don't attempt to buy Electronics as a new person in the market. You're better off buying from Lawanson or any other market.

I lost #60k in that market. And I swore never to step into that market.

And this is not about tribe. The main guy that scammed me was Haruna then supported by my Igbo brothers. I see it as the culture of the market. The tales from first timers experience in that market has always been horrible. And don't try to blame it on the guys doing osoafia. They are in Idumota and Balogun too. In fact I use them alot. They earn commissions from the stores and each time I make use of any of them I still tip them because they save me alot of time especially when I'm looking for a particular design of wears.

Like I said earlier, fraud is the culture they have adopted in Alaba market as a virtue.

If you have never been to Alaba before to buy Electronics better stay away. You're 99.99% likely to be scammed. So why take that chance?

The same receipt has always been used. Divine Grace Investment. My friend has bought used electronics from Lawanson and got home it didn't work as expected and she returned it and collected her money in full no dragging. But in Alaba, the money you just paid now now, see me see you I haven't touched your electronics is none refundable. Anybody calling that a business is a criminal.

Nice write up, OP...

1. Will you return items bought in your shop (personally) if they spoil before the warranty expires?

2. From the guy's complaints, he was sold only the speakers not the player (hilarious).

The monies was to be returned, yes, coz you cannot force anyone to collect an item he doesn't want to buy, most especially if the main item was removed.

3. The eastern part of Nigeria, are known to majorly trade in that particular environment(i am from the east as well), wouldn't be reasonable if you see so many COWS in your farm, grazing on your crops, to suspect the FULANIS...

4. Unions don't come to the aids of the people because they are also traders(sympathy). The buyers need protection as well which they do not have.

I have always recommended people to use escrow services, to resolve unnecessary issues.

Na greediness they cause some

Ok

fawole73k:
Na greediness they cause some

And in some cases not greediness but wickedness from the so call scammers

What's the point of this thread now?
For sure, it's same in all markets in Nigeria.
Fraud knows no tribe but make we no lie, it's common among the ibos.

The truth is many fraudulent activities in Alaba are perpetrated by Igbo people and i'm Igbo.

We really need to do better.

The first time i went to Alaba to buy a phone;a second-hand phone,i was ripped off by my supposed 'brother' who claimed to have come from the same place as i am.

I was sold a phone with a dead panel.When i went back the next day for a refund,i was told to add more money to collect another phone.A phone i don't even know if it was in perfect working condition.

Can you imagine?!

I couldn't involve any older person or task force to help me handle the issue because the money to mobilise them no dey and shame sef follow hold me at how easily i trusted them based on say we be 'brothers'.

I was angry within myself.Whenever you're too trusting and want to do a honest business with your Igbo brother but get defrauded,people will blame you as a mugu and hail the other one as 'sharp'.


This is not to say there are not honest Igbo business men in Alaba,there are but the thing is evil or bad quite easily always overshadows good.A person can run a successful business transaction with 7 different honest Igbo traders at different point in time but 1 bad business gone wrong from another Igbo man will always linger in his memory.

Try to do your due diligence whenever you want to procure any gadget.

If possible,go with your friend as it will be difficult to defraud 2 people at same time

true I lived in alaba for 8 years, but u no mention alaba Rago wre only houser people are based, fear alaba rago dat place na hell fire, I fear dat place pass anywre in the whole wide world even alaba himself

Whenever u go inside market

1, Buy from established shops , if u can't handle street boys games
2, Remove greediness , don't try to buy iPhone 11 for 10k
3, Report any issues to market Union they always support u the customer , they know those boys
4, Collect and read receipts before signing and leaving the shop
5, Don't discuss with street boys at all if u can't handle them , just tell them am not buying anything
6, Demand guarantee ( if possible)
7, Even in Igbo dominated markets , most of these scammers are mostly from different different tribes , they learn small Igbo language too , so don't always fall for it
8, Be smart , like the guy of yesterday, how can someone tell u that DVD can work with generator and not with NEPA , that's not possible ! I will tell him to test it with nepa light let me see first

Hmmmm, grab chair and sits down

It is well.


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The link to my WhatsApp is in my signature

Noted

Learn to open Ur eyesin Lagos

Ok.

In another news, Messi had finally agreed to stay in Barca, good news to all EPL fans except City supporters.

Alaba international is one of the most organised markets in Nigeria, though not without the existence of some bag eggs, even at FG controlled areas like wharf,Airports,Immigration offices even police offices,bad eggs or touts exists too

Your home is incomplete without good quality furniture thats why we are here for you

Alaba international market, the home of fraudulent omo Igbos in the whole of Lagos state.

My advise is that if you are going there, go with somebody that knows the in and out of that market. I was there on Monday and that market is competitive and stocked to the gates.
There three major tribes have scammers there. The store owners know dem, they can help to weed them out.

Wooh

There are good and bad persons everywhere/platforms and amongst every race/tribe
We just have to deal with caution and pray to always meet the good ones.

the market scares me

You didn't say anything. Are there measures to correct the stigma. Almost all the people I know has a bitter tale to tell about this market. By the way I am Igbo.

una get mind sha. i avoid all markets. i get my electronics from jumia or konga or jiji or GAME

Ait.
Don't mind those hypocritical cone headed Afonjees.
As if there is a Nigerian tribe that is free from fraud.
Everyone just uses his niche of the economy to commit fraud. Northerners are the most fraudulent in government..
Same way 90% of internet fraudsters in Nigeria are Yorubas.