Good Worth Millions of Naira Destroyed as Fire Raze 8 Shops in Ilorin’s Challenge Market * It’s heartbreaking to see my livelihood go up in flames – affected trader laments 

By Omowumi Omotosho and Bamidele Aremu

A late-night fire outbreak on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, razed a section of the bustling Challenge Phone Village in Ilorin, Kwara State, destroying at least eight shops in the market which houses over 120 shops, 80 kiosks, and numerous stands.

The inferno, which began from a power surge in one of the kiosks at approximately 9:06 p.m, sent panic through the densely populated market, known for its concentration of phone shops and repair centers.

Among the shops destroyed, were four shops stocked with laptops while the rest were stocked with various kind of expensive phones and accessories running into millions of naira.

According to a statement signed by the Head of Media and Publicity for the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, the Firefighters arrived promptly to find several shops already engulfed in flames, and the fire was contained to just 10 kiosks.

“On Wednesday, 30th April 2025, at about 21:06 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service received a distress call reporting a fire outbreak at the Challenge Phone Village, located within Challenge Market, Ilorin. Our fire crew promptly mobilized and arrived at the scene to find several shops engulfed in flames. The market comprises over 120 shops, 80 kiosks, and numerous stands. Through swift intervention, professionalism, and tactical expertise, our team successfully curtailed the spread of the fire, limiting its impact to only 10 kiosks.

“The affected areas were primarily phone stores and repair shops. Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire was caused by a power surge. Traders and market stakeholders commended the Kwara State Fire Service for their rapid response and effectiveness in saving the market from widespread destruction.

“The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, expressed his sympathy to the market leadership, affected traders, and the entire market community. He prayed that all losses incurred in the incident would be divinely restored in multiple folds,” the statement read.

Abdulganiyu Yunus, one of the affected traders 

Reacting to the incident, Abdulganiyu Yunus, who deals in sales of phone, laptops, accessories and repair, told National pilot that he lost close to ₦3 million worth of goods in the inferno. The loss includes customers’ phones and laptops that were left in for repair or purchase.

“It’s heartbreaking to see my livelihood go up in flames. I’m not sure where to start from or how I’ll recover from this loss. I lost close to three million Naira in the inferno,” he said, almost in tears as he struggles to come to terms with the extent of the damage.

He expressed frustration over the magnitude of the loss, which includes not only his stock but also the trust and business of his customers.

“I had phones and laptops belonging to my customers, and now they’re all gone. I don’t know how I’ll face them or compensate them for their losses,” he lamented.

Yahaya Olayinka loses about N7million to the fire disaster 

Likewise, Ibrahim Yahaya Olayinka, a phone technician, disclosed that he received news of the inferno around 9pm and was devastated to discover that his shop had been razed down.

“I heard about the fire around 9pm yesterday. The fire destroyed goods worth ₦7 million in my shop. I’m still trying to come to terms with what happened. It’s a huge loss, and I’m not sure how I’ll recover from it,” Olayinka said

Another victim, a phone technician named Yekini Ishola, recounted the shocking moment he received the news that his laptop shop had been razed down. Ishola, who said he watching football in a viewing centre when he got the call and rushed to the scene only to find that his shop reduced to ashes.

“It’s like a nightmare come true. I lost everything – up to ₦30 million worth of laptops. I’m still trying to come to terms with what happened,” Ishola said, visibly distraught.

Also speaking to National Pilot, the Chairman of the Kwara State Association of Technicians, Challenge Chapter, Opeyemi Davies expressed frustration over the fire incident that ravaged several shops in the market. He assured that the association would assist the victims in any way possible.

“We’re deeply saddened by the loss suffered by our members. However, we’re committed to supporting our brothers and sisters who were affected,” the chairman said.

Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kwara State chapter, in reaction to the fire disaster, sympathised with the affected traders and business owners over their loss.

The party in a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara described the tragic incident as a colossal loss to the already struggling Kwara economy and a devastating blow to the ever-busy Challenge business district, which is a vital hub of commercial activity in the state.

” Our party is particularly pained that most of the affected individuals are young Kwarans who have invested heavily in their businesses and are actively contributing to the economic progress and development of the state. Our hearts go out to them, their families, and their loved ones during this period of distress.

“While awaiting a detailed report on the cause and degree of damage done from relevant authorities, the PDP urged the affected traders to remain calm, keep their faith strong, and take solace in the fact that no life was lost. “In times like this, we are reminded that as long as there is life, there is hope”, the party stated.