Late night inferno razes market in Osun

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

A devastating fire swept through Akinola Market in Ipetumodu, Osun State, destroying properties and foodstuffs worth millions of naira.

The inferno, which broke out in a section of the market where yams are sold, is believed to have originated from a refuse fire left unattended by traders after the day’s sales.

Reports indicate that the traders, after the weekly market day sales, collected their refuse and set it ablaze but failed to extinguish the fire properly before leaving for their homes.

The spokesperson for the Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kehinde Adeleke, confirmed the incident, saying, “Akinola Market in Ipetumodu was gutted by a late-night inferno on Friday, January 10, 2025. The fire erupted in a section of the market where foodstuffs, particularly yams, are sold.

“Properties and foodstuffs worth millions of naira were destroyed. Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire started from refuse set ablaze by yet-to-be-identified individuals after the close of business on Friday.

“Akinola Market is a weekly market held every Friday. After the last market day, traders collected their refuse and burned it but negligently left the fire unextinguished before heading home, which led to the inferno. Upon receiving a distress call, we immediately deployed operatives to the scene.”