A tragic fire outbreak in the Akankan area of Ede, Osun State, claimed the lives of Customs officer Tijani Kabiru, his wife, and four of their children in the early hours of Monday.
The fire, which broke out around 3 a.m., destroyed their home, leaving the community in shock. According to a neighbor, Kola, the fire began unnoticed but quickly consumed the house before firefighters could contain it.
Kola recounted, “We noticed smoke at about 3 a.m. Despite the firemen’s efforts, the damage was extensive, and six members of the family were already lost. One child, a 13-year-old boy, managed to escape.”
The Osun State Fire Service confirmed the incident. A statement from the service highlighted the destruction, estimating losses at N200 million, while property worth N500 million was salvaged.
The deceased included Kabiru, who was in his late 40s, his wife in her early 40s, and their children—three boys and a girl—aged between three and 10 years.
The remains of the victims have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further procedures. The lone survivor is receiving care and support.
This devastating incident has left the community grieving and underscores the importance of fire safety measures to prevent such tragedies.
