Goods worth millions of naira were destroyed in the early hours of Friday after a devastating fire razed several sections of the popular Bode Market in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The inferno reportedly engulfed multiple shops, leaving traders counting heavy losses as merchandise, valuables and other goods were reduced to ashes.
According to reports, the fire broke out in the early hours of the day and spread rapidly through parts of the market before emergency responders arrived at the scene.
As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire had not been determined.
Firefighters Contain Blaze
Firefighters were swiftly deployed to the market and eventually succeeded in bringing the blaze under control, preventing it from spreading to other sections of the commercial hub.
However, rescue operations were hampered by the congested nature of the market, with closely packed shops making it difficult for emergency responders to gain quick access to the affected areas.
Bode Market is one of the largest and busiest markets in the Ibadan metropolis, serving as a major trading centre for herbs, animal skins and other traditional products.
The market attracts traders and buyers from across the South-West and other parts of Nigeria.
Ogun Traditional Priest Dies After Fire Incident
Meanwhile, tragedy struck Adebiopon Village in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State after a 50-year-old traditional priest, Muritala Shodiya, died following a fire incident.
The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday evening, while Shodiya was rushed to the General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, where he was confirmed dead on Thursday morning.
The deceased, popularly known as "Ifa," was well known in the community for fortune-telling and traditional Ifa worship.
A community source, who spoke anonymously, alleged that Shodiya had been battling emotional challenges before the incident.
"He had not been himself since his wife left him for another man. He had been showing signs of depression," the source claimed.
Another resident, identified simply as Kazeem, said villagers rushed to rescue the traditional priest after the fire broke out.
"We rushed to the scene to save his life. We put out the fire and took him to the hospital, but I just heard this morning that he has died," Kazeem said.
He added that Shodiya had previously lived in Ijaye-Adebakin, Abeokuta, before relocating to Adebiopon Village.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, Babaseyi Oluseyi, said the command had commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire.