A routine sidewalk clearing operation turned violent on Saturday, September 6, 2025, in Godomey, a district of Abomey-Calavi, after clashes erupted between police and local street vendors. The incident left several people injured and five others in custody.
According to reports, officers from the Godomey police station conducted an unannounced raid as part of a nationwide campaign to reclaim public spaces. The operation, which is typically carried out without major incidents, escalated after police seized merchandise displayed along the sidewalks.
Witnesses said tables, umbrellas, and other vending equipment were doused with gasoline and set alight by officers, sparking outrage among the vendors. Some youths responded by throwing projectiles at the police, who then returned fire.
A local witness interviewed by Bip Radio said two people were injured during the exchange — one in the hand and another in the eardrums. “Without lying, the police officers were really patient. They waited for a few orders from their superiors before opening fire,” the witness added.
Amid the chaos, five individuals were arrested while several others fled the scene. The detained suspects are expected to appear before the relevant authorities in the coming days.
Local officials have yet to issue an official statement on the incident, which has reignited debate over the handling of eviction operations and their wider social implications. Critics argue that such crackdowns, often sudden and forceful, disproportionately affect small traders who rely on informal markets for their livelihoods.
The Godomey incident comes as Benin intensifies its efforts to regulate street trading and free public spaces ahead of broader urban development initiatives. However, the confrontation has raised concerns about the balance between law enforcement and social welfare in these operations.
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