Govs asked to probe fire outbreaks in SW as Shomolu market loses N5b goods to night fire
By Bukola Ahmed
State Governors in the South West have been asked to set up independent inquiry into constant fire oubreaks in markets located across the eight states.
On Saturday fire outbreak again destroyed goods worth billions of naira at the popular Olaleye market located in Somolu.
No life was lost.
In a statement on Sunday morning made available to Irohinoodua, the South West Professional Forum, (SOWPROF) said it is worried that markets that host Yoruba economy are going up in flames.
The statement signed by SOWPROF President Chief Segun Ajibulu wondered why over five major strategic markets in the South West have gone up in flames in the last six months.
The cases happened more in Oyo Lagos and Ogun States where the bulk of Yoruba economy is located.
“We are worried that the most important markets in Yorubaland are being attacked by fire. We are aware that many of these markets are occupied by people from outside the South West who act as security men and who usually sleep in these markets. What is happening has no parallel in history. Balogun, Old Dugbe, Olaleye among many others. It is time for the Governors to probe these terrible cases to know if they are cases of sabotage or coincidence” Ajibulu said.
The recent Somolu fire incidence has put thousands of people in difficult situation after goods and properties went up in flames on Sunday morning around 3am.
Mr Nosa Okunbor the spokesperson of LASEMA Response Team said the organisation received a distress call from control room as regards a fire outbreak at the aforementioned location and immediately deployed to the incident scene.”
He said “Upon arrival at the scene, it was discovered that Olaleye Market located at Shomolu was gutted by fire.
“However investigation is currently ongoing to ascertain cause of fire.
“Lagos State Fire Service, LRU fire and the Federal Fire Service are currently battling the inferno and preventing it from spreading to other residential buildings.
He said no life was lost and no injuries sustained, but properties and goods worth several billions of naira are currently being razed down by the inferno.