Traders at the popular commodity market at Bodija in Ibadan are grieving over their losses after a fire incident razed at least 38 shops, injured two in the process.
Sections of the market at Ori-Igi, Daleko and Iso Ẹlẹwà, were affected by the fire which was reported to have started around 4:30am on Monday.
While speaking to Newsmen on Monday many described the cause of the fire as mystery as it remains unclear.
A trader in the market, who identified himself as Abdullahi Akande, said, “I heard about the fire incident around 5 am. I rushed down to this place immediately but how the fire started I did not know, my shop was on fire when I got here, I could not move closer, everything had been completely razed in the shop before help came from firefighters.”
“Honestly, I don’t know where to start again, everything gone. Again, I kept a large sum of money in the shop because I did not want to spend it during the Ileya festival. I will not disclose the amount because people will blame me, If I had known, I would have taken the money home. I appeal to the government and individuals to help us start life again.”