In a recent incident at Megida Onikanhun Compound, Edun Isale, Ilorin South Local Government, a fire outbreak resulted in the displacement of 120 individuals. The fire, which occurred on January 15, 2024, around 11:08 hours, affected a building and a mosque, consuming a total of 44 rooms.
The Head of Department of Media and Publicity for the fire department, Hassan Adekunle, released a statement on Monday in Ilorin providing details of the incident. Upon receiving a late call, the Kwara State Fire Service promptly responded to the fire at Megida Onikanhun Compound. Firefighters found the entire compound and Edun Market ablaze upon arrival.
To enhance firefighting efforts, part of the fence was dismantled for better access. An SMS message was sent to the Brigade Headquarters at 11:22 am for additional manpower. The proficient firefighters successfully brought the situation under control within an hour and extinguished the fire completely.
Investigations revealed that an unknown person ignited a fire with some refuse, which unfortunately spread to the nearby compound. Despite the swift response and effective firefighting, the incident left 120 occupants homeless, impacting 44 rooms and a mosque. Thankfully, no casualties were reported among the 75-room compound.
In response to the incident, Hassan Adekunle expressed condolences to Magaji Megida Onikanhun’s representative, Kuranga Adebayo. The Director of Kwara State Fire Service, Mr. Falade Olumuyiwa, commended the efforts of the firefighters but urged the general public to prioritize safety, especially during this period. He emphasized the importance of promptly calling the fire brigade in case of any emergency to safeguard lives and properties in the state.