Kwara Fire Service Warns Against Market Station Encroachment

The Kwara State Fire Service has warned against encroachment, occupation, and conversion of its fire station located within Mandate Market, Adewole, Ilorin. This warning, issued on Monday by spokesperson Hassan Adekunle on behalf of Chief Fire Officer Muhammed Alabi, follows an inspection that revealed unauthorized structures on the premises.

The fire station is crucial as it serves not only the market but also surrounding communities, including Adewole, Warrah, Oloje, and Oko-Olowo. The Service emphasized that the station's location is vital for rapid emergency response, particularly during the early stages of a fire.

The warning comes after a recent fire incident at Mandate Market that destroyed 24 shops, where firefighters faced challenges accessing the scene due to blocked routes. The Service noted that even minor delays in response could lead to significant damage, especially in densely packed markets.

The situation is deemed a public safety concern, underscoring the need to protect the facility from encroachment.