A late-night fire on Saturday destroyed 10 shops and goods worth millions of naira at the Oba Lipede Market in Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The blaze began around 10:15 p.m., reportedly caused by the explosion of a gas-powered generator owned by a market businessman.
Engr. Fatai Adefala, Director of the Ogun State Fire Service, confirmed the incident. “We were contacted around 10:15 p.m. and quickly responded to control the situation. Ten shops were affected, and various goods inside these shops were damaged,” Adefala said. He noted that the explosion was due to a power surge while the generator was in use. No fatalities were reported, but one individual sustained minor injuries and received medical treatment.
Goods destroyed included foodstuffs like rice and beans, as well as household utensils. Basiru and Tolani Moses, a couple whose two shops were razed, reported losing N500,000 in cash and goods worth over N1.5 million. Basiru explained that the cash was intended for a bank deposit on Monday.
Several officials, including the Commissioner for Special Duties, Funmi Efuwape, the Director of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Wale Sonde, and the Chairman of Abeokuta South Local Government, Omolaja Majekodunmi, visited the market on Sunday to assess the damage. Efuwape highlighted that the fire was exacerbated by illegal shanties erected outside the main market building, stating, “The fire outbreak was due to these shanties. When the government intervenes to remove them, the traders will understand the necessity.”
Efuwape confirmed that demolition of the illegal structures would take place to create space for emergency vehicles in the future. She also mentioned that the main market building would undergo an integrity test to ensure its safety, and plans for renovation would be implemented.
SEMA Director Wale Sonde indicated that officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) would visit the market on Monday to assess the damage and determine assistance for the victims. He noted that the incident resulted in “physical, economic, and psychological damages.”
Market leader Mrs. Tejumade Bakre lamented that looting occurred shortly after the fire, but security agents intervened and dispersed the miscreants.
Source: Punch