Akinola Market in Ipetumodu, Osun State, was engulfed by a late-night fire on Friday January 10, 2025, destroying goods worth millions of naira.
The incident caused panic among traders who had left for home after the day’s business. Many rushed back in distress after receiving calls about the blaze, which primarily affected stalls storing yams.
A trader explained, “I left the market hours earlier and was called about the fire. The yam section was severely affected, and the destruction is massive.”
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) suggested the fire might have been caused by refuse burning.
NSCDC spokesperson Kehinde Adeleke said, “Preliminary investigations reveal the fire started from refuse burned by unidentified individuals after the market closed. Unfortunately, the fire was not properly extinguished, leading to this disaster.”
The weekly market, held every Friday, now faces significant losses, with traders calling for improved safety measures to prevent future occurrences.
