Reports indicate that no fewer than 14 buildings were gutted by fire in the market located on the Lagos Island area.
The Lagos Territorial Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Authority, Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the incident, stating that four buildings out of the 14 collapsed.
Reacting to the development, victim Idayat Allison, speaking with News Central in a town hall meeting involving market stakeholders, expressed dissatisfaction with Sanwo-Olu’s address on the incident, describing it as lacking empathy.
She criticized the governor’s threat to demolish buildings lacking proper documentation as unnecessary and avoidable. Recounting her experience, she said, “While in London, I received calls informing me that my shop was engulfed in flames. It was devastating as I had planned to reopen after the Eid-el-Fitr break, only to find it reduced to ashes upon my return.
I utilized an entire building on Number 7 Dosunmu Street and had just unloaded two 40-foot containers of stock. Everything was lost in the fire. The cause was reportedly a generator repairer who failed to switch off the generator before refueling, leading to the outbreak.
The situation worsened as he panicked and couldn’t seek help.”
We urgently need assistance from the Federal and Lagos State Governments. The fire has caused us immense financial losses, amounting to trillions. Personally, I lost two of my shops, while my sister, Morufat Allison, lost three, and her husband lost one. We are now left with nothing.”
Addressing whether the Lagos State Government has reached out to provide assistance, Allison stated that Governor Sanwo-Olu’s words lacked action.
She criticized his emotionless speech, particularly when he mentioned plans to demolish buildings lacking proper documentation.
Sanwo-Olu just kept talking, without any empathy or compassion. It felt like there was no humanity in his words. He casually mentioned demolishing all buildings without proper documentation, showing no regard for our situation. Their actions were even worse – their bulldozers further destroyed what little remained, and looters took advantage, stealing scraps and salvageable goods.”
Another victim pleaded to be included in the list for government compensation, highlighting their dire circumstances after the fire.
“We need assurance that any financial aid won’t go to landlords but directly to shop owners. We’re compiling names every day, hoping for some relief.
Toyin Dosunmu, a resident and landlord in the market, recounted the chaos during the fire outbreak, where she urgently called for help as boys threw kegs of fuel from the building. Despite the initial efforts, she pleaded with the government to restore the market to its former state, emphasizing her vulnerability at 70 with nowhere else to turn.
Responding to allegations, the governor’s Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, clarified that Governor Sanwo-Olu did not explicitly promise direct assistance to the traders. Instead, during the meeting, he assured an assessment would be conducted, and the government would intervene accordingly.
Akosile questioned whether the assessment had been completed and challenged the narrative of government neglect, urging a focus on the root causes of the disaster rather than solely blaming the government.