The spate of violence in Ikorodu, Lagos State, and the call by community leaders on residents to procure whistles have caused a surge in the demand and price of the device in the area.

According to NAN, the development has compelled many households in Ikorodu to own whistles, with one that cost N100 now rising to between N200 and N250.

Interviews with some traders in Ikorodu markets revealed that the call on residents to acquire whistles as a strategy against alleged cult killings has created a new source of livelihood for petty traders and hawkers in the locality.

Tifase Abiola, a caterer who usually prepares snacks, said she was making more sales from the whistle business than from her original catering business.

“I was initially selling snacks, but when I saw that some traders were making swift sales from hawking whistles, I decided to join them.

“I investigated where they sourced whistles wholesale and I swiftly joined them. I now hawk whistles in my neighbourhood,” she said.

Also speaking, Deji Onigunye, another trader, said he previously sold sports items such as football, boots and jerseys, but he has since switched to whistles.

“Whistles are not items we sell every day, but in the last two weeks, the demand for the item around here has compelled me to invest in the business,” he said.

Funke Oniroayo, a widow and trader who was known for selling brooms in the market, said she now makes better sales in her new line of business.

“This whistle business has helped me to settle most of my debts and to also feed my fatherless children,” she said.

“Many people buy as many as three or four at once, and almost everyone that comes around is interested in buying them.”

Muhammed Mutiu, a dealer in books who suddenly switched to the whistle business, said he has been making brisk sales.

“Initially, I was selling books on wholesale, but when I discovered that a lot of hawkers in the market were going to Tom Jones market in Lagos Island to buy whistles, I decided to join them,” he said.

“I went to the market, bought in wholesale and to my surprise it has been very rewarding, as people from the Ikorodu hinterlands also now come to the market to buy in bulk.”