The lawmaker representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Hon. Folajimi Oyekunle popularly called DON, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the fire outbreak that razed several shops at Bodija Market in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, with millions of naira worth goods reportedly destroyed in the inferno.
Hon. Oyekunle also sympathized with the affected traders over the losses suffered, describing the incident as a painful setback for business owners whose livelihoods have been disrupted by the disaster.
In a press release signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Akinwale Bodija, Hon. Oyekunle called for a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the fire and identify measures necessary to prevent a recurrence.
He assured the affected traders of his commitment towards finding a lasting solution to the recurring threat of fire incidents in markets and other commercial centres.
The lawmaker stressed the need for proactive measures and effective safety arrangements to protect traders, their investments and sources of livelihood, noting that preventing such disasters requires collective responsibility and sustained attention to market safety.
Hon. Oyekunle also appealed to traders to prioritise safety in their places of business by observing appropriate precautions and ensuring that necessary safety measures are in place to minimise the risk of fire outbreaks.
According to him, concerted efforts are required from relevant authorities, market leaders and traders to strengthen preventive measures and ensure that incidents capable of causing significant economic losses are avoided.
He urged the relevant authorities to treat the incident with the urgency it deserves and ensure that the findings of the investigation inform practical steps towards improving fire prevention and emergency response in markets across the constituency.
Recall that the Oyo State Fire Service had stated that it contained the fire outbreak that affected 15 shops at Block D, Bodija International Market, Ibadan, in the early hours of Monday.
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‎The agency confirmed that the incident was reported at exactly 4:34 a.m. through a telephone call from one Mr. Lawal, who alerted the service of the inferno at the popular market.
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‎It added that a firefighting crew led by Assistant Chief Fire Superintendent Bamidele, who were promptly mobilised to the scene, discovered that 15 out of 44 shops in a row had been engulfed in flames, with thick smoke blowing from the affected premises.
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‎The agency said the prompt intervention helped contain the fire, with no casualties recorded during the incident, adding that preliminary assessment identified an electrical surge, suspected to have resulted from faulty electrical wiring, as the likely cause of the incident.
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Reacting to the inferno, ‎the Chairman, Oyo State Fire Services, Dr. Moroof Akinwande, urged members of the public to remain vigilant and adopt appropriate fire safety measures to prevent similar incidents.
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Dr. ‎Akinwande stressed the need for installing and regularly maintaining functional fire extinguishers in commercial buildings, shops and homes to ensure that fires can be tackled at their early stages.
