Fire Guts 12 Shops at Ilorin Shopping Complex

ILORIN, Kwara — A fire outbreak has affected 12 shops at a shopping complex in the Mandate Market area of Ilorin, Kwara State, after an early-morning blaze engulfed part of the facility on Saturday, September 5, 2026. 

The incident occurred opposite Alkad Filling Station and was reported to the Kwara State Fire Service at about 1:14am.

According to the Fire Service spokesperson, Hassan Adekunle, the affected complex contained about 40 shops and was already engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. 

The state fire service deployed two firefighting appliances to the scene. Personnel from the Federal Fire Service later joined the operation as firefighters worked to prevent the blaze from spreading to adjoining shops and nearby properties.

Adekunle said the extent of the damage was partly linked to the delay in notifying emergency responders.

Preliminary findings suggested that a power surge may have triggered the fire. The Fire Service said some people sleeping close to the complex reported hearing a loud combustion sound shortly after electricity was restored.

However, the agency stressed that the exact cause had not been conclusively established and remained subject to further investigation. 

The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, commended personnel from the Kwara and Federal fire services for their response and cooperation.

Muhammed urged business owners to ensure electrical installations were handled by qualified professionals and that electrical appliances and power sources were properly monitored.

He also appealed to residents and business operators to report fire outbreaks immediately, noting that early notification can give firefighters more time to contain a fire before it spreads. 

The incident comes months after another major fire at Mandate Market destroyed 24 shops in May. The earlier outbreak was also initially attributed to a power surge, according to the Kwara State Fire Service.

The Fire Service subsequently warned in August against encroachment on its Mandate Market station, saying blocked access routes could delay emergency response. The agency said the station serves the market as well as surrounding areas including Adewole, Warrah, Oloje and Oko-Olowo. 

The latest Ilorin shopping complex fire has renewed attention on electrical safety and the importance of quick emergency reporting in densely packed commercial areas.

The authorities have not announced any confirmed casualty from the latest incident, while investigations into the cause continue.

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