A devastating fire has ripped through the Aleshinloye Market in Ibadan, Oyo State, leaving a trail of destruction and despair. The inferno, which erupted late Tuesday night and continued into Wednesday, consumed shops and goods worth millions of naira, plunging traders into anguish and uncertainty.

Eyewitness accounts suggest the fire ignited around 9 pm on Tuesday, allegedly triggered by an electrical spark within a shop specializing in plastics. Muideen Azeez, a witness at the scene, recounted how the blaze rapidly spread to neighboring stores, fueled by recently offloaded goods from a trailer. The intensity of the fire overwhelmed initial containment efforts, leaving first responders struggling to control the situation.

The scale of the destruction is immense, with estimates suggesting over 1000 shops were razed. Traders returned to the market on Wednesday to confront the sorrowful reality of their losses. One woman reported the loss of 15 shops, while others recounted losing their entire livelihoods in the conflagration. Rukayat AbdulLateef, a distraught victim, lamented the loss of two shops containing over N50 million worth of goods, purchased just days before the disaster. Toyeebat Bello reported that ten of her shops, stocked with over N70 million in merchandise, were destroyed.

A recurring theme in the aftermath of the fire is the alleged ineffectiveness of the market's fire service facilities. Witnesses claimed that the fire service station within the market was non-operational, hindering timely intervention. Frustrated traders voiced their grievances, alleging a lack of government presence and a failure to provide essential services despite collecting taxes. Some traders further criticized the Oyo State Fire Service, claiming delayed response times due to a lack of water in their vehicles.

In the wake of the disaster, authorities have pledged to investigate the cause of the fire and provide assistance to the affected traders. Kehinde Akanni, Chairman of Ibadan South-West LGA, confirmed that no casualties were recorded and stated that the government would step in to assist the affected traders and review safety measures. Security operatives are currently assessing the extent of the damage and working to prevent future occurrences. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has also initiated an on-the-spot assessment, with plans to mobilize stakeholders and provide federal government assistance.

Mr. Yemi Akinyinka, the General Manager of Oyo State Fire Service, confirmed that his men were still working at the market and expressed gratitude to SWEETCO and Sumal for providing support with their trucks and personnel. The full extent of the damage is still being determined, but the fire at Aleshinloye Market has left a devastating impact on the community, highlighting the urgent need for improved fire safety measures and effective emergency response systems.