A devastating midnight fire has destroyed no fewer than 20 shops and goods worth over ₦100 million at the NIPOST Shopping Complex in Dugbe, Ibadan, following a road accident involving a drunk driver.
The incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday along the busy Dugbe Iyaganku axis, when a Lexus sedan reportedly veered off the road and crashed into a shop within the complex. Eyewitnesses said the impact triggered a fire, which quickly spread across adjoining stores, fueled by flammable goods.
Shop owners and residents in the area were thrown into panic as the flames engulfed multiple shops before emergency responders could contain the situation. Many traders were unable to salvage their goods due to the intensity and rapid spread of the fire.
Officials of the Oyo State Fire Service later arrived at the scene and battled for hours to bring the inferno under control, preventing it from extending to nearby buildings.
No fatalities have been confirmed as of the time of filing this report, though the extent of injuries, if any, remains unclear.
Authorities are expected to launch a full investigation into the incident, while affected business owners count their losses and call for support.
The tragic event has once again raised concerns about reckless driving, especially under the influence of alcohol, and the vulnerability of commercial hubs to fire outbreaks.
