- A devastating fire at Oko-Baba plank market in Lagos has left many businesses destroyed and residents homeless amid controversy over the market's relocation
- Following the fire, the market was demolished and cleared, causing widespread business losses and displacing many residents
- The demolition took place following a court ruling in August that prevented the state government from relocating timber dealers to the Timberville facility at Owu-Ikosi
In an unfortunate incident amid the persistently high cost of living and economic hardship in the country, a devastating fire swept through the Oko-Baba plank market in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, destroying goods worth millions of naira.
The incident, which happened on Sunday, September 15, raised severe concerns within the community.
LASEMA confirms fire incident consumes goods worth millions
The spokesperson for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Nosa Okunbor, confirmed the tragic incident saying the fire “consumed the main plank market, major parts of the shanties and goods worth millions of naira.”
“The Agency activated its Cobra Squad from the Onipanu Base and arrived at the incident scene at 1120hrs.
“Upon arrival at the scene, it was observed that a plank market and shanties spread on a large expanse of land was engulfed by fire,” Okunbor stated.
Suspicions that government set up fire to facilitate evacuation
An anonymous eyewitness alleged that the fire was intentionally set by the government to forcefully evacuate residents and demolish the market area.
The demolition and evacuation of the market followed on Monday, September 16, leaving many businesses destroyed, and numerous individuals left homeless.
Speaking with a correspondent of TheRadar, one of the traders, who wanted to be identified as Kareem, said he had been in the business of selling wood at the sawmill for almost 14 years. However, the fire outbreak has sent him of the business, having lost everything.
Others, pleading anonymity, have also made Oko-Baba their homes for over a decade but are now effectively homeless after the demolition.
“Where do they expect us to go? We have been here for over 11 years, how do we get our lives and properties back? See our belongings on the roadside, see our lives outside.
“This is cruel, this is the worst fate to befall us. How does this government expect us to proceed from here?” one of the traders tearfully lamented in Yoruba.
Court ruling stops state government’s move to relocate Oko-Baba saw millers
Recall that the state government launched a verification exercise in December 2021 aimed at moving the Oko-Baba Sawmillers to the Timberville facility at Owu-Ikosi.
However, a recent court ruling in August has mandated that the state government stop the planned relocation of the timber dealers.
The court's ruling came in response to the traders' objections to the relocation plan, arguing that Ikosi was not an appropriate alternative.
Adegboruwa urges Lagos government to follow court order
Meanwhile, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, a human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria has called on the state government to comply with the court order and suspend the relocation plan.
Long-term residents, some of whom had lived in the area for over a decade, are now grappling with the loss of their homes and livelihoods.
Kareem, a log seller who had operated at the sawmill for nearly 14 years, expressed sadness over the destruction of his business and the uncertain future ahead.
Lagos State announces 8-week emergency repairs on Eko Bridge: See traffic diverting measures here
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Lagos State announced the closure of the Eko Bridge for emergency repairs, starting from September 16.
Detailed alternative routes were provided for various destinations during the closure.