Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A devastating midnight fire has destroyed at least 24 shops at the Mandate Ultra Modern Market in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, leaving traders counting heavy losses and renewing concerns over recurring fire outbreaks linked to electrical faults in commercial centres across Nigeria.
The fire broke out in the early hours of Tuesday and rapidly spread through a section of the busy market before firefighters from the Kwara State Fire Service succeeded in containing the blaze after an intense emergency operation.
Officials confirmed that the incident occurred at about 4:44 a.m. when most traders had already left the market for the night. While no deaths or injuries were officially recorded, the destruction left dozens of business owners devastated after goods worth millions of naira were reduced to ashes.
According to the Kwara State Fire Service, the inferno affected 24 shops within the popular market complex, which accommodates hundreds of traders dealing in foodstuffs, electronics, household items, and general merchandise.
Preliminary investigations by fire officials indicated that the fire was likely triggered by a power surge. Authorities said the blaze reportedly began inside a shop where phone accessories were sold alongside a phone charging business before flames spread to adjoining shops containing food items and other highly combustible materials.
The spokesperson of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, said the scale of destruction worsened because emergency responders received the distress call after the fire had already spread significantly through the affected section of the market.
Despite the delayed alert, firefighters managed to prevent the inferno from engulfing the entire ultra modern market. Officials praised emergency personnel for their rapid intervention and professionalism during efforts to contain the flames.
Witnesses described scenes of confusion and panic as thick smoke covered parts of the market while traders and nearby residents rushed to salvage whatever they could from the burning shops. Some business owners reportedly forced open stores in desperate attempts to rescue goods before the fire spread further.
Several affected traders broke down in tears while recounting the extent of their losses. Victims said clothing materials, foodstuffs, electronics, phone accessories, grinding machines, and other valuable items were completely destroyed in the blaze.
Some traders explained that many shop owners had recently restocked their businesses following increased commercial activities in the market, making the losses even more painful amid Nigeria’s difficult economic climate.
One affected trader lamented that years of investment disappeared overnight, adding that many small business owners lacked insurance coverage and would struggle to recover financially from the disaster.
The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, visited the market after the incident and sympathized with victims. He assured traders that the agency remained committed to protecting lives and property across the state.
Muhammed also used the opportunity to urge market operators and business owners to adopt stronger fire prevention measures, particularly regarding electrical safety. He advised traders to install fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, alarm systems, and proper electrical protection devices capable of reducing the risk of future disasters.
The incident has once again highlighted growing concerns about repeated fire outbreaks in Ilorin and other Nigerian cities, many of which have been linked to unstable electricity supply, faulty wiring systems, illegal electrical connections, and poor compliance with fire safety regulations.
Residents around the Mandate Ultra Modern Market said power fluctuations and sudden electrical surges had become increasingly common in the area. Some traders accused electricity authorities of failing to stabilize supply despite repeated complaints over erratic voltage changes affecting businesses and residential areas.
The Mandate Ultra Modern Market remains one of the busiest commercial centres in Kwara State, attracting traders and buyers from different parts of Ilorin and neighboring communities. The market is especially known for wholesale and retail trade in foodstuffs, tomatoes, pepper, vegetables, household items, and consumer goods.
Tuesday’s incident comes barely days after another fire outbreak partially destroyed a building containing shops and residential apartments in Ilorin. Earlier incidents in the state were also linked to suspected electrical faults, prompting authorities to repeatedly warn residents about unsafe power connections and overloaded electrical systems.
Experts say many commercial centres across Nigeria remain vulnerable to devastating fires because of inadequate emergency infrastructure, overcrowded shop arrangements, poor urban planning, and weak enforcement of safety regulations.
Some affected traders at the market argued that the scale of destruction could have been reduced if more firefighting equipment and emergency response systems were available within the facility itself. Others called for regular electrical inspections and safety drills to help prevent future incidents.
Market leaders have now appealed to the Kwara State Government, humanitarian organizations, and wealthy individuals to support victims who lost goods and means of livelihood in the fire. Community members warned that many affected traders may struggle to rebuild their businesses without urgent intervention.
Authorities said investigations into the exact cause of the blaze were still ongoing, although preliminary findings strongly pointed to a power surge as the likely trigger.
As cleanup efforts continue at the market, many traders remain uncertain about how they will recover from one of the most destructive market fires recorded in Ilorin in recent months.
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