A devastating fire at the popular Aleshinloye Market in Ibadan, Oyo State, has left traders facing enormous financial losses.
In response, Oyo State Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has expressed solidarity with the affected traders, assuring them of government assistance to mitigate their hardship.
This was disclosed in a statement made available to Nigerian NewsDirect on Wednesday, signed by Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser (Media) to the Oyo State Governor.
According to the statement, Governor Makinde, represented by Deputy Governor Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, visited the scene to evaluate the damage and console the traders.
During the visit, the governor instructed the Ibadan South-West Local Government and the LCDA to implement adequate security measures at the market.
He also urged market leaders to take stock of the shops affected by the disaster.
“We will take necessary steps to provide immediate support through the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (Oyo SEMA). We will also collaborate with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and well-meaning individuals to deliver prompt assistance to those impacted by this incident.
“As a government, we are here to show our concern and assess the extent of damage caused by the fire. We have engaged with market men and women, and we understand the gravity of the situation.
“The intensity of the blaze was worsened by the nature of the goods being sold, particularly plastics, which contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. Nonetheless, we are grateful that no lives were lost,” the governor said.
However, traders and market leaders voiced frustration over the delayed response from emergency services, particularly the Oyo State Fire Service, which was reportedly ill-equipped to manage the inferno.
“When we arrived, the fire had started near the fire brigade station. It began in one shop, and the fire service lacked water to extinguish it. Billions of naira has been lost,” an eyewitness recounted.
Alhaja Toyeebat Bello, a trader who lost 10 shops with goods valued at over N70 million, lamented, “I heard about the fire late last night but couldn’t reach the market in time. When I arrived, everything was gone. This is devastating. There were rumours about plans to demolish the market, but we never expected this to happen.”
Another trader, Mrs Rukayat AbdulLateef, who lost two shops containing goods worth over N50 million, shared her distress: “I had just restocked with goods worth N5.4 million and had barely started selling. Now, everything is gone. I have no idea where to begin.”
“The Oyo State Fire Service, located within the market, failed to assist us because they claimed they had no water or functioning fire trucks. We were left to fend for ourselves until private companies like Foodco and Sumal intervened,” said Mr Joseph Abiodun, father of a market trader who was hospitalised following the incident.
Alhaja T. Bello of TY Bello Ventures, a plastic merchant who also suffered losses, attributed the severity of the fire to the absence of a swift emergency response.
She explained, “We tried to contain the fire ourselves, but it spread too quickly due to the type of goods in the market. We need better emergency preparedness to prevent disasters like this.”
Addressing these concerns, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Dr Moroof Akinwande, confirmed that the fire broke out around 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
He clarified that response efforts were hindered by limited resources but reassured the public that the fire was eventually contained by Wednesday morning. He urged residents to remain calm despite the unfortunate incident.
“Regrettably, our fire trucks are insufficient to cover all areas. Some have also been vandalised by criminals during past firefighting efforts. However, we have learned from this tragedy and are working on improving our response times,” Akinwande stated.
While no lives were lost, many traders are grappling with significant financial setbacks.
Some traders have called for a government investigation into the cause of the fire to prevent future occurrences.
In a separate statement, former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar extended his condolences to the victims.
“I have just been informed about the fire at Aleshinloye Market in Ibadan, which destroyed numerous stalls and goods, as well as the tragic tanker explosion on the Otedola Bridge in Lagos, which claimed two lives and left three others injured.
“I offer my sympathy to the families of the victims of both incidents. I also extend my condolences to Governor Seyi Makinde and the Oyo State Government regarding the Aleshinloye Market fire, as well as to the families affected by the Otedola Bridge explosion, and the government and people of Lagos State. I pray that the Almighty replenishes the losses of those affected and grants a speedy recovery to the injured.
“These unfortunate events underscore the urgent need for increased awareness about fire prevention in markets, public places, and on our roads, particularly at this time of year. I urge all relevant authorities to strengthen safety measures and improve preparedness to avert future tragedies,” he stated.
Traders, local officials, and the wider public are now calling for immediate measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Governor Makinde has pledged government support for rebuilding efforts and the enhancement of safety protocols at the market.
The fire, which is regarded as one of the most catastrophic in recent years, has inflicted irreversible damage on the livelihoods of many traders, who are now in desperate need of assistance.
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