ORE MARKET INFERNO: GOV AIYEDATIWA ORDERS PROBE, PROMISES SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS
Ondo State Governor, His Excellency, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has pledged government support for traders affected by the fire that gutted parts of Sabo Market, Ore, in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.
The fire incident, which occurred on August 12, destroyed shops and goods, resulting in significant financial losses for the affected traders.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, who conducted an on-the-spot inspection of the market, ob Tuesday, sympathised with the victims, saying it was a relief that no life was lost despite the destruction of shops and valuable goods.
The governor commended firefighters for their swift response, supported by residents, which he said prevented the fire from spreading further.
“I acknowledge and thank all our firefighters for their quick response to ensure that this fire did not escalate more than this,” he said.
“A lot of valuables have been lost but no life was lost. Our men responded with the support of the people in the neighbourhood to ensure that the fire was put off.”
Governor Aiyedatiwa said the state emergency agency had visited the market to assess and document the damage and identify those affected, assuring the traders that government would respond after the assessment.
“The emergency agency of the state government has been here to take note and account of all that have been destroyed and those who are affected. They are doing their calculation; in due time, they will respond to support the people,” he said.
He urged traders and residents to exercise caution by switching off electrical appliances and other potential sources of fire before leaving their shops or going to bed.
The governor also promised to address the water shortage that hampered the firefighting operation.
“I’m promising you today, the Ministry of Water Resources, Hygiene and Sanitation will visit and look at locations where they have to sink the boreholes and that will be approved immediately. Not just for firefighting but also for your use,” he said.
He appreciated the chairman of Odigbo Local Government for his response and urged him to identify other needs requiring state government intervention.
On his part, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, said the government would investigate the remote causes of the fire.
Takuro said the latest incident was the third fire outbreak at the market in the past two years, with no concrete reasons established for the previous occurrences.
“So, at this time, it is very important for us to dig to the roots of the causes of these problems so that we can be able to know what to do next,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Taiwo Michael Adegoroye, commended the governor for the visit and promise of support for the traders.
He described the market as one of the major markets in the state, noting its contribution to the internally generated revenue and finances of the state and local government.
The Iyaloja of Ore, Odigbo Local Government, Chief Eniola Ogunlana, who spoke on behalf of the victims, described the incident as unfortunate and appealed to the government to assist the affected traders whose livelihoods depend on the market.
Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
August 18, 2026.
