Oyo Govt Promises Alternative Shops for New Gbagi Market Fire Victims

The Oyo State Government has promised to provide alternative shops for traders affected by the removal of illegal structures at the Bola-Ige International Business Complex (BIIBCO), New Gbagi, Ibadan, following a recent fire outbreak that destroyed goods and affected eight shops.

The government also reaffirmed its decision to clear unauthorised structures, shop extensions and shanties obstructing access roads and waterways within the complex as part of efforts to restore its original master plan and improve safety.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, November 2, 2026, following separate meetings held on Friday and Saturday by the Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Professor Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu, with affected traders, market leaders and other stakeholders.

At a meeting with traders affected by Thursday’s fire outbreak, Adelabu expressed gratitude that no life was lost and sympathised with those who suffered losses. He also commended the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, ministry officials, market leaders and complex management for their response to the incident.

The commissioner said he had briefed Governor Seyi Makinde, the Deputy Governor and other relevant authorities on the incident, adding that letters had been sent to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other stakeholders to seek possible assistance for the affected traders.

He disclosed that the ministry was exploring available state and federal interventions, engaging the relevant insurance company on behalf of the traders and requesting affected business owners to submit their profiles and inventories of lost goods for documentation and assessment.

Adelabu also announced plans to constitute a panel of inquiry involving relevant stakeholders to investigate the latest fire outbreak and previous incidents at the complex. SEMA had equally been invited to inspect the affected shops.

The commissioner identified illegal structures, shop extensions and shanties obstructing access routes as major challenges to emergency response, explaining that fire trucks encountered difficulties reaching some affected shops despite the prompt alert to the Fire Services Agency.

He warned that the government would not tolerate unauthorised developments that compromise safety and accessibility within the complex.

Adelabu also raised concerns over allegations that some shop allottees rented out their spaces to multiple traders without government approval or proper documentation. He maintained that using a shop as a warehouse did not justify unauthorised multiple occupancy or subletting.

Among the proposals submitted to the governor for consideration are the removal of illegal structures and shop extensions, provision of fire extinguishers by solar-system traders within seven days and other occupants within 21 days, and possible sanctions, including closure of shops, for non-compliance.

The proposals also include encouraging traders to insure their goods and establishing an inquiry panel. Adelabu clarified that the measures were subject to the governor’s approval.

Government to Verify Claims, Provide Alternative Shops

At a subsequent meeting on Saturday with traders whose shops were affected by the removal of illegal structures, Adelabu explained that BIIBCO was developed more than four decades ago in line with an approved master plan, which must be respected to maintain an orderly and functional business environment.

He said structures erected on waterways, access roads and other designated rights-of-way outside the approved layout would be removed to restore access and improve emergency response.

Describing the exercise as a necessary corrective measure rather than an act of wickedness, the commissioner said the recent fire outbreak had exposed the dangers posed by obstructions within the complex.

He also dismissed suggestions that the exercise was targeted at particular shops featured in a video circulating on social media or any group of traders, explaining that it was part of a comprehensive restructuring exercise covering all illegal structures across the complex.

According to him, the exercise will extend to other sections of BIIBCO to ensure that the original layout and purpose of the facility are restored.

While acknowledging that some of the demolished shops were constructed by the developer engaged for the project, Adelabu insisted that every structure must be assessed against the approved master plan to determine whether it occupies a designated access road, waterway or other public space.

He consequently directed affected traders to submit their valid allocation documents and other relevant records for verification, with a view to addressing genuine claims and determining appropriate alternative arrangements.

The commissioner assured traders with genuine claims that the government would consider providing alternative shops at suitable locations within the complex, where their businesses could operate without obstructing access roads, waterways or spaces designated for the free movement of vehicles.

He also directed the Permanent Secretary to document the affected traders to establish genuine cases and guide the process.

Adelabu further dismissed allegations of looting during the demolition, saying the ministry had records of the affected shops and their occupants. He reiterated that the clearance exercise would continue across the complex.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Olajide Mamud Okesade, said the government remained conscious of the economic circumstances of traders but could not allow unauthorised structures to obstruct movement, compromise safety or undermine the approved master plan.

Okesade said the ministry was identifying suitable locations for traders who qualified for consideration while ensuring that obstructed access routes were cleared.

He cited the ongoing clearance of the major road from Mukaila Adebayo Mosque towards the Inuike section, expressing optimism that the exercise would improve vehicular movement and create a more orderly commercial environment in the coming weeks.

The affected traders appealed for government support, explaining that the demolition had disrupted their businesses and livelihoods. They expressed hope that the proposed alternative shops would enable them to resume trading.

Earlier, Okesade had led ministry officials, complex management and market leaders on an inspection of the fire-affected area, where he sympathised with the traders and assured them of the government’s concern.

The Babaloja-General, Alhaji Abass Yekini Oladapo, who disclosed that goods worth billions of naira were reportedly lost in the fire, appealed for assistance for the affected traders and called for sustained measures to prevent further outbreaks. He also appreciated the government’s prompt response.

Similarly, the Babaloja of the complex, Alhaji Adebayo, thanked Makinde and the ministry for their intervention, expressed support for the removal of illegal structures and ongoing reforms, and prayed for the success of the government’s efforts.

The state government maintained that the measures were intended to protect lives and investments, improve emergency access and restore BIIBCO’s original master plan to create a safer, more accessible and orderly commercial environment.