Ita Nma Fire: Traders Languish as Govt drags feet over Promises * ‘Assistance Coming Soon,’ Says Commissioner for Special Duties
by Bamidele Aremu
Over three weeks after a devastating fire razed Ita Nma Livestock Market in Ilorin, Kwara State, traders are still struggling to rebuild their lives and businesses. The inferno, which occurred on a Friday night, destroyed over 15 shops and left goods and livestock worth millions of naira in ruins.
Despite promises of assistance from the government, traders say they have received no support, leaving them in financial distress. Many were visibly frustrated when National Pilot visited the market on Thursday, expressing anger over what they described as government neglect.
The chairman of the market, Alhaji Raimi Akumaju, described the harsh realities traders have faced since the fire, emphasizing that losses exceeded ₦100 million. He lamented that without government intervention, recovery has been nearly impossible.
“We are struggling to survive since the fire incident. We lost over ₦100 million in the inferno, and it’s been difficult for us to bounce back.”
He also expressed disappointment that the chairman of Ilorin West Local Government,Honorable Ladan Shehu has yet to fulfill his promise of assisting the affected traders.
The market’s secretary, Mr. Abdullahi Kawata, echoed these concerns, calling on the government to provide urgent financial aid. He revealed that after the incident, the Ilorin West Chairman and Commissioner for Special duties, Honorable Olanrewaju John Bello visited the market and after the visitation, 21 bags of cement, 1 bag of nail and 10 bundles of roofing sheets were donated to the victims. He also, disclosed that after the materials were donated, they didn’t hear from the government representatives again.
“After the incident, The chairman of the Ilorin West Local Government, alongside Commissioner for Special duties visited and gave us 21 bags of cement, a bag of nail and 10 bundles of pans, and lots of promises were made but since then, we are yet to hear from them,” he said.
One of the victims, Alhaja Idowu Abubakar who lost her entire stock, including three freezers and thirty-six crates of minerals, revealed that she now struggles to feed her children, as she has been forced to sell her goods in the open space due to the destruction of her shop.
“Things have been so difficult for me. My three fridges and thirty-six crates of minerals were all lost in the fire. My children and I are currently finding it hard to feed. I now display my goods openly since my shop was razed down by the fire,” she said.
Similarly, Alhaja Taiye Murina who sells livestock feed disclosed that life has been unbearable since the fire. She pleaded to the government to fulfill its promise of assistance.
“Life has never been the same since the fire incident. We need the government’s assistance to get back on our feet,” he said.
When National Pilot contacted the Ilorin West chairman, Honourable Abdulrahman Ladan via his mobile line mobile line around 4:17 pm and 4:19 pm respectively on Friday evening, he didn’t respond. Also, a text which reads: “Good day, sir. I’m writing on behalf of National Pilot. I want to get your reaction over the plight of traders at Ago livestock market. According to the traders, they were given 21 bags of cement, a bag of nails, and 10 bundles of pans. Is there any challenge of why they are yet to receive further assistance from the government?” was text to his line and whatsapp around 4:19pm on Friday but at the time of filing this report, no reply yet.
However, when National Pilot contacted the Kwara State Commissioner for Special duties, Honourable Bello Olarewaju on Friday, he stated that the traders will be getting assistance from the government very soon.
“It is a matter of time. Very soon the government will help them. The governor has been doing so many things of late. The materials given to them was to pacify them, but definitely very soon the government will assist them. ” he said.
