Wednesday, May 13, 2026 -At least 24 shops were destroyed in a fire outbreak that swept through parts of the popular Mandate Ultra-Modern Market in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, in the early hours of Tuesday.
The incident, which affected sections of the market housing
over 200 shops, threw traders into panic as flames engulfed stores containing
phone accessories, foodstuffs and other valuables.
According to a statement issued by the spokesperson for the
Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, firefighters received a distress
call at about 4:44 a.m. and immediately mobilised to the scene to contain the
inferno.
Adekunle said the extent of the damage was worsened because
the fire had spread significantly before emergency responders were alerted.
“The magnitude of destruction was largely intensified due to
the late call made to the Fire Service, as the fire had already spread
significantly before firefighters arrived at the scene,” he said.
He, however, noted that the firefighters prevented the blaze
from spreading to other sections of the market complex.
“Nevertheless, the gallant firefighters of the Kwara State
Fire Service displayed exceptional courage and professionalism in combating the
inferno and successfully averted further destruction across the market,” he
added.
According to him, preliminary investigations indicated that
the fire was caused by a power surge.
“The fire reportedly started in a shop where phone
accessories were sold alongside a phone-charging business before spreading to
nearby shops used for storing foodstuffs and other commodities,” Adekunle
explained.
Some traders and market stakeholders commended the
firefighters for their swift intervention, saying their efforts saved a large
portion of the market from destruction.
The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi
Muhammed, also visited the scene to sympathise with affected traders and assess
the level of damage.
During the visit, he met with leaders of market associations
and assured them of the agency’s continued support.
“I am deeply saddened by this incident, and I assure you of
the Fire Service’s continued support,” he said.
Muhammed also urged market operators to prioritise fire
safety measures within their business premises.
“Market operators should invest in both active and passive
fire safety measures, including the installation of fire extinguishers, smoke
detectors, sprinkler systems, fire alarms and proper electrical protection
devices, especially in situations where shop owners may not be present during
emergencies,” he advised.
He further reminded traders of the annual fire safety sensitization
campaigns organized by the agency across markets in the state.
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