Goods and properties worth multi millions of naira were destroyed as a fire razed popular Agbeni market in Ibadan, Oyo State, has

It was gathered that the market gutted fire at about 04:30am, on Sunday.

Agbeni Market is located in the heart of Ibadan is the wholesale depot for all varieties of beverages and drugs in the state.

The cause of the fire could not yet be established as at the time of filing this report.

General Manager of Fire Services Yemi Akinyemi who confirmed the incident said: “The agency received the distress call at exactly 04:37hrs through Sunday Ogundele, Access Bank security that Agbeni market is on fire.”

” As I speak with you, our men are still battling with the job, we are grateful to the Central Bank of Nigeria that allows us to use their water supply.”

“Everything is under control. They are still going to CBN to replenish,” he said.

Market fire eruption is nothing new in Nigeria. No fewer than 54 market fires have been recorded across the country between January 2022 to March 2023.

Lagos State has more market inferno with eight incidents, Anambra five, Kano five, and Kwara, Osun, Yobe, and Rivers states with three cases each.

Ebonyi, Taraba, Federal Capital Territory, Cross River, Delta, and Abia, had two incidents each.

In 2022, 25 market fires occurred across the country while in 2023, 29 incidents of infernos were recorded.

Goods worth billions of naira and uncounted numbers of shops were wrecked as a result.

To halt the trend of fire outbreaks in markets across the country, safety experts have called on the government to think about supporting the fire department to provide working fire hydrants or other water sources to help them fight fires more efficiently.

Traders are also urged to be educated on safety and fire prevention, as well as to be aware of the importance of disconnecting all appliances from sockets when not in use.

i-News Nigeria