Fire destroys 15 shops, goods worth millions in Ogun market

By Omobolaji Adekunle

A devastating fire razed 15 shops and destroyed goods worth millions of naira at the Oba Lipede Market in Abeokuta, Ogun State, leaving one person injured.

The fire started at 10:15 p.m. on Saturday from a makeshift shop outside the market, caused by a power surge from a palm kernel shop using gas.

Traders were seen weeping over their losses, with one couple losing N500,000 cash and goods worth N1.5 million.

The market leader lamented looting after the incident, but security agents intervened. Government officials and emergency services visited the scene to assess damages.

The Commissioner for Special Duties, Funmi Efuwape, attributed the fire to illegal structures outside the main market building, which will undergo an integrity test and renovation. The Fire Chief, Fatai Adefala, confirmed the power surge cause.