A devastating midnight fire has razed at least 20 shops at the NIPOST Shopping Complex in the Dugbe area of Ibadan, Oyo State, destroying goods estimated to be worth over ₦100 million.
Incident Details
The fire reportedly started around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday after a Lexus sedan, driven by a suspected drunk driver, crashed into a shop along the Dugbe–Iyaganku axis. The impact triggered a fire that quickly spread to adjacent shops within the complex.
Eyewitnesses reported that the blaze escalated rapidly due to the highly flammable nature of goods stored in the affected shops, making early intervention efforts difficult before significant damage occurred.
Emergency Response
Emergency responders and security personnel were later deployed to the scene to prevent further spread of the fire and restore order in the area. The Oyo State Fire Services Agency (OYSFA) led the firefighting operations.
Although no fatalities have been confirmed, traders were seen lamenting their losses as several businesses were completely destroyed in the inferno. Many shop owners expressed despair over the destruction of their livelihoods.
Investigation and Aftermath
Authorities are expected to carry out a full assessment of the incident to determine the extent of damage and investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and subsequent fire. The tragedy has left shop owners and residents in shock, as many described the destruction as a devastating blow to commercial activities in the busy Dugbe business district.
