Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, took a hands-on approach on Wednesday night as he joined the State Fire Service in a rescue operation to salvage goods and property at Oja Tuntun market, Baboko, Ilorin. The fire, which broke out around 9:18 p.m., engulfed 15 shops in the market, resulting in an estimated loss of goods worth N367.4 million.
The market, situated in the heart of Ilorin West Local Government Area, is home to 1,072 shops, 984 stands, and 27 warehouses. Quick intervention by the State Fire Service, utilizing equipment from two major stations in Ilorin, prevented further damage, saving property estimated at about N25 billion.
The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time, and an investigation is underway.
Hassan Adekunle, the Head of Media and Publicity for the state Fire Service, stated, “Oja Tuntun Market, housing 1,072 shops, 984 stands, and 27 warehouses, experienced minimal damage, with only 15 shops affected by the inferno.” He credited the efficient response of the fire service for minimizing the impact of the fire and saving valuable commodities.
Governor AbdulRazaq, present at the scene, expressed sympathy for those affected and commended the efforts of the Kwara State Fire Service. The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Falade Olumuyiwa, seized the opportunity to advise citizens on fire prevention measures, urging them to switch off electrical appliances before bedtime.
Meanwhile, former Senate President Bukola Saraki extended his sympathies to the victims of the fire, particularly in the Kuntu wing of Oja Tuntun. In a statement, Saraki expressed concern over the recurring incidents of fire in the city and called for urgent measures to address the situation. He commended the fire service for their timely intervention and urged collective efforts to find lasting solutions to prevent such incidents in the future.
Saraki prayed for relief and succor for the affected marketers and emphasized the need for comprehensive measures to curb avoidable fire incidents impacting people’s livelihoods.