Over 1 Billion loss as Aleshinloye Market burns in Ibadan

GOODS worth over N1billion were destroyed in a fire inferno that ravaged parts of the popular Aleshinloye market in Ibadan,Oyo state capital at the weekend.

Men of the State Fire Service yesterday successfully quenched the raging fire, which began on Friday night.

Hundreds of affected traders were seen wailing over the huge loss, calling on well- meaning individuals and government at all levels to come and assist them.

The leader of Igbo community in the state, Eze Ndigbo of Ibadanland,  Eze Alex Anozie, led other Igbo chiefs to the market to sympathise  with the  traders yesterday.

Describing the loss as very devastating, Anozie made passionate appeal to the government to assist the affected traders financially and also help in reconstructing the shops.

He also suggested that the market be ordered to close by 6pm daily, leaving only the security personnel to man the market and open for business by 7am.

“I remember that since such was introduced at Onitsha market, frequent fire out break stopped,” Anozie added.

The burnt items are mainly jeweleries, fabrics, shoes, handbags and travelling bags as well as wrist watches, among others. - TheNation