Goods worth millions of naira destroyed as firefighters battle blaze at one of Oyo’s busiest traditional markets.
Several traders have been left counting their losses after a fire outbreak gutted parts of the popular Bode Market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, in the early hours of Friday.
The inferno destroyed several shops, reducing goods and property worth millions of naira to ashes.
Although the cause of the fire had yet to be determined as of the time of filing this report, the incident caused extensive damage, leaving many business owners devastated.
Videos circulating from the scene captured emotional traders, including men and women, breaking down in tears as they watched the remains of their shops and wares destroyed by the raging fire.
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 busy commercial hub.
However, emergency responders faced challenges accessing parts of the market due to its congested layout and tightly packed clusters of shops, which slowed firefighting operations.
Bode Market is one of the largest and busiest markets in Ibadan, serving as a major trading centre for herbs, animal skins, traditional products and other commodities. The market attracts traders and customers from across Oyo State, the South-West and other parts of the country.
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