A midnight blaze engulfed the Oja Agbe farmers’ market in Moniya, Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, destroying shops, containers, and kiosks valued at millions of naira. The fire, which broke out at 12:27 a.m. on December 2, 2024, was contained by the swift intervention of the Oyo State Fire Service.
According to Akinyemi Akinyinka, manager of the fire service, a distress call alerted the agency, leading to the deployment of personnel led by ACFS Oyedeji to the scene. The firefighters battled the flames, successfully preventing the fire from spreading to adjacent shops and properties.
“We arrived to find rows of shops and container shops ablaze. Our quick action curtailed the spread, saving several properties that would have been lost,” Akinyinka confirmed.
Eyewitnesses lamented the extent of the damage, estimating losses in millions of naira. Despite the destruction, no lives were lost, and no injuries were reported. Traders are calling for heightened safety measures to prevent future incidents.
This tragedy adds to a series of market fires across Nigeria, raising concerns about fire safety in commercial spaces. Stakeholders are urging market leaders and government agencies to install fire prevention systems and conduct regular inspections.
