The recent fire incidents in Ifejika Street near Onitsha Main Market and the popular Iweka Road Plaza close to Ochanja Market in which buildings, shops and goods worth billions of naira were burnt have again brought to the fore safety concerns in these markets and others across the country. It is sad that in these fire incidents, the fire fighters arrived late due to so many factors, including poor response time to such incidents, and inaccessibility of the area concerned.
The recurring fire incidents have equally underscored the need to install fire-fighting equipment in these markets to forestall any fire outbreak. In the case of markets in Onitsha where buildings are put up without adequate spacing and every adjacent street has overnight become a market, it will be very difficult to move fire-fighting equipment when there is fire outbreak. Owing to the unplanned nature of these markets, overcrowding and inadequacy of space for expansion, the Anambra State government should consider restructuring these markets or relocate them to areas with enough space.
Therefore, there is need for urban renewal by the state government. Onitsha city requires adequate planning. Moving forward, there should be clear delineation between residential settlements and commercial/industrial areas. Onitsha must intentionally expand towards areas or zones with more spaces. There is urgent need for the new Onitsha city with mapped out areas for markets. The Onitsha market fire has invariably become an annual ritual that must not be allowed to continue.
Apart from Onitsha market fire incidents, other markets across the country have recently been gutted by fire. A few days before the Onitsha market fire, an early morning fire occurred in the commercial city of Kano destroying Simra Multi-Purpose Market situated in a small-scale industrial hub in the Dakata area of the metropolis. Goods and properties worth millions of naira were burnt in the incident. Those who witnessed the incident decried the overwhelming destruction of goods, buildings and livelihoods. Initial reports suggested that the fire was triggered by an electric pole when the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) restored power supply to the area.
Within the same period, there was fire outbreak at the popular Aleshinloye market, located in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, in which about 500 shops were reportedly affected. The distraught traders blamed late intervention of the fire fighters for the spread of the inferno. On February 24, 2025, fire gutted some shops in the Ladipo market, Lagos, destroying goods worth millions of naira. Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who confirmed the incident, said the inferno was caused by an electric power surge after public electricity power supply was restored to the area.
Before the Ladipo market mishap, no fewer than 110 shops and 120 attachments were reportedly destroyed in the fire that rocked a spare parts market in the Idumota area of the State in November 30 last year. Many spare parts shops were also razed. Similar occurrence on November 2, 2023, in the Ladipo plank market saw at least 300 shops destroyed. The government should come up with measures to avert frequent market fire incidents.
Firefighting in Nigeria must comply with global best practices. Most of our firefighting equipment and methods are obsolete. Firefighting in areas with crowed high-rise buildings must involve the use of helicopters and long ladders. Firefighting has gone beyond the use of only mobile fire extinguishers and water. Firefighters in Onitsha must embrace the use of helicopters in containing frequent fire outbreaks. It has also become imperative that Anambra State government should build a large new market to accommodate the traders in Onitsha with ample access roads.
Frequent fire incidents in Onitsha and other markets in the country call for public enlightenment on how to ensure safety in these markets. Leaders of the market associations should ensure that their members are aware of necessary safety measures to avert fire outbreak in the markets. Let the markets be equipped with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment for prompt response to fire outbreaks. We enjoin Anambra State government, organisations and individuals to assist the victims of the Onitsha market inferno and others. The National Emergency Agency (NEMA) should also help in rehabilitating the affected traders.