Fire Don Burn 24 Shops for Mandate Market for Ilorin.

Fire Don Burn 24 Shops for Mandate Market for Ilorin.

One big fire don happen for Mandate Market for Ilorin, Kwara State, and the fire don destroy 24 shops plus goods wey worth millions of naira.

The fire happen for the early hours of Tuesday, May 12, 2026. The section of the market wey catch fire na part of a bigger shopping area wey get more than 200 shops.

According to Kwara State Fire Service, dem receive the distress call around 4:44 a.m. By the time firefighters reach the place, fire don already spread go some shops around.

Initial investigation from Fire Service show say power surge fit be the suspected cause of the fire. According to reports, the fire start from one shop wey dey sell phone accessories and dey do phone charging business. From there, the fire spread go nearby shops wey dey keep foodstuff and other goods.

Even though the fire service receive the emergency call late, firefighters manage take control of the fire and stop am from spreading go other parts of the market.

The fire don cause serious loss for traders. Different goods including rice, vegetable oil, drinks, drugs, gadgets and other business materials don burn inside the affected shops.

The Babalola of Mandate Market, Alhaji Murtala Tambaruku, tell Daily Trust say some traders don lose properties wey worth millions of naira because of the fire.

After the incident, the Director of Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, visit the market to see the level of damage and show sympathy to the traders wey lose their properties.

He also call on market people make dem take fire prevention serious. He advise traders and market operators to get fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, fire alarms, sprinkler systems and proper electrical protection equipment for their shops.

Fire Service also warn say when fire start, people for report am quick quick because early information fit help firefighters control the fire before e spread and cause bigger damage.

The Mandate Market incident don again raise concern about fire safety and emergency access for busy markets. In August 2026, Kwara State Fire Service warn people against building or blocking areas around the fire station inside the market.

The agency explain say illegal structures and blocked roads fit make am difficult for fire trucks to reach places where emergency don happen.

The incident show say traders, market associations and government authorities all get role to play for preventing market fires. Proper electrical connections, fire safety equipment, clear emergency roads and quick reporting of fire incidents fit help protect traders, their businesses and their means of livelihood.