Araromi Market, located in Agodi, Ibadan, was once again struck by a devastating fire on Thursday night, April 10, 2025. The market, which is known for its auto spare parts sales and the dismantling of abandoned vehicles, saw 12 shops go up in flames, with properties worth millions of naira destroyed.
Eyewitnesses reported that the fire began at Block A, No 64 Mayegun Cement store around 10:55 pm, and quickly spread, causing significant damage. The incident is believed to have been triggered by a surge in power supply to the area.
The Oyo State Fire Service received the distress call at exactly 11:02 pm, and within minutes, firefighting teams led by CFS Jimoh arrived at the scene. Upon arrival, fire personnel found several shops engulfed in flames but were able to prevent the fire from spreading further. Despite their efforts, 12 shops were affected, though the firefighters managed to save property worth billions of naira.
The General Manager of Oyo Fire Service, Yemi Akinyinka, confirmed the incident and praised the swift response of the fire service. "We were able to save properties worth billions of naira in the market. The appliance returned to the station by 03:18 hrs and was on standby," Akinyinka stated.
This latest fire adds to a growing number of incidents at Araromi Market. Previous fires have caused widespread damage, including one on January 14, 2023, when over 25 shops were gutted, reportedly due to scavengers burning disused tires. Another fire broke out in December 2024, with early reports suggesting an electrical fault as the cause. A third incident occurred on March 30, 2025, further compounding the traders' losses.
The series of fire incidents have raised concerns among traders and the general public about the need for enhanced safety measures at the market. Traders have expressed frustration over the recurring disasters and are urging authorities to take action to prevent future occurrences.
