Traders Count Losses As Fire Guts Bode Market In Ibadan

Goods worth millions of naira were destroyed in the early hours of Friday after fire gutted several sections of the popular Bode Market in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Naija News understands that the inferno affected several shops, leaving traders devastated as merchandise, valuables and other goods were reduced to ashes.

The fire reportedly broke out in the early hours and spread through parts of the market before emergency responders arrived.

The cause of the fire had yet to be determined as of the time of filing this report.

Firefighters were quickly deployed to the scene and eventually brought the blaze under control, preventing it from spreading to other sections of the market.

However, emergency responders faced challenges due to the congested layout of the market and closely packed shops, which hindered access and firefighting efforts.

Bode Market is one of the largest markets in Ibadan metropolis and is widely known as a major trading hub for herbs, animal skins and other traditional products.

The market serves traders from across the South-West and other parts of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, shock gripped residents of 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.

It was reported that the incident occurred on Wednesday evening, while Shodiya was later rushed to the General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, where he was confirmed dead on Thursday morning.

Shodiya, popularly known as “Ifa,” was said to be widely known for fortune-telling and Ifa worship.

A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity with Punch, alleged that the deceased had been struggling emotionally 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 said.

Another resident, identified only as Kazeem, said villagers made efforts to rescue him before taking him to the hospital.

“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, “He formerly lived in Ijaye-Adebakin, Abeokuta, before moving to Adebiopon Village in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.”

Confirming the incident, the Ogun State Police Command spokesperson, Babaseyi Oluseyi, said the command had commenced an investigation.