A late-night fire outbreak on Wednesday caused significant damage at the popular Phone Village located within the Challenge Market in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, destroying goods estimated to be worth millions of naira.
The inferno, reportedly triggered by a power surge, ignited around 9:06 PM and quickly spread through part of the densely packed market, which houses over 120 shops, 80 kiosks, and numerous trading stands.
Despite the high risk of total devastation, only 10 kiosks—primarily occupied by phone sellers and repair technicians—were affected, thanks to the prompt and professional response by the Kwara State Fire Service.
In an official statement issued on Thursday, the agency’s spokesperson, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed that their emergency crew swiftly mobilized to the scene and prevented the fire from spreading further.
“Upon arrival, several kiosks were already engulfed in flames. But through our tactical expertise and rapid response, we were able to contain the fire and save the majority of the market,” Adekunle stated.
He added that preliminary findings point to a power surge as the cause of the fire.
In an environment where delayed emergency response often compounds the scale of destruction—as seen in similar incidents across Nigeria—Kwara’s Fire Service has drawn rare praise from affected traders and market leaders for its efficiency.
The Director of the State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, extended his heartfelt sympathies to the victims, expressing hope that their losses would be “divinely restored in multiple folds.” He also reassured the public of the service’s continued vigilance and readiness to respond to emergencies.
While many national outlets may simply report the event as another market fire, this incident stands out for how a timely and coordinated firefighting effort prevented what could have been a catastrophic loss for the state’s informal economy.
