The bustling city of Ibadan was thrown into turmoil early Saturday morning as a massive inferno tore through the Araromi Spare Parts Market at Agodi-Gate, leaving destruction and despair in its wake. While firefighters battled to contain the raging blaze, hoodlums reportedly took advantage of the chaos, looting shops and harassing emergency responders.
The General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Service, Akinyemi Akinyinka, described the scene as deeply troubling, revealing that the hoodlums disrupted critical rescue operations. “Hoodlums have broken into shops at Araromi Agodi-Gate, and they are embarrassing and harassing men and officers of the Fire Service,” Akinyinka said, calling for urgent intervention to restore order and support firefighting efforts.
The fire, which reportedly started around 2 a.m., has devastated goods and property worth millions of naira. The exact cause of the inferno remains unknown, with investigations underway to determine what sparked the catastrophic blaze. Meanwhile, firefighters have made desperate pleas for additional water tankers to assist in their efforts to extinguish the flames.
This devastating event is just the latest in a series of fires that have plagued Ibadan in recent days. On Friday, tragedy struck the Ori-Eru, Idikan area of the city when a fire engulfed a storey building, claiming the lives of a husband, wife, and their grandson. Earlier this week, another blaze tore through three shops in the state capital, though swift action from fire services saved 13 others.
Adding to the city’s grief, a parish of the Christ Apostolic Church in Lagelu Local Government Area was consumed by fire during a vigil on Friday night, reportedly trapping worshippers inside. The repeated incidents have left residents reeling, with many questioning the adequacy of fire safety measures and emergency response systems in the state.
The destruction at Araromi Spare Parts Market marks a significant economic blow for traders who depend on the market for their livelihoods. Many shop owners are now left with nothing but ashes, as the fire gutted their inventory before they could salvage anything. The looting by hoodlums has further compounded their losses, leaving traders devastated and calling for justice.
The Oyo State Government is yet to issue an official statement on the series of fires, but pressure is mounting on authorities to take decisive action to address the spate of tragedies. Residents are demanding stricter fire safety regulations, improved emergency response systems, and increased security measures to prevent further looting during crises.
As Ibadan grapples with the aftermath of these devastating incidents, the resilience of its people will undoubtedly be tested. For the traders at Araromi Spare Parts Market and the victims of other recent fires, the road to recovery is long, but their calls for justice and change cannot be ignored.
