The Oyo State Government has announced fresh measures to prevent recurring fire outbreaks at the Bola-Ige International Business Complex, New Gbagi, Ibadan, assuring traders affected by the recent fire and demolition of illegal structures that genuine victims could receive alternative shops.
The government said it was working to restore the original master plan of the over four-decade-old commercial complex, warning that unauthorised structures obstructing access roads, waterways and designated public spaces would be removed.
The Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Professor Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu, gave the assurances during separate meetings with affected traders, market leaders and complex management on Friday and Saturday.
The intervention followed a fire outbreak on Thursday, October 29, which destroyed eight shops at the complex. No casualties were recorded.
Speaking with traders affected by the fire, Adelabu sympathised with them over their losses, expressing gratitude that no lives were lost.
He said the ministry had briefed Governor Seyi Makinde, the deputy governor and other relevant authorities while exploring possible assistance for the victims.
According to him, letters had been sent to the State Emergency Management Agency and the National Emergency Management Agency to facilitate intervention.
The commissioner also disclosed that the ministry was engaging the relevant insurance company, while affected traders had been directed to submit their profiles and inventories of lost goods for documentation and assessment.
He added that a panel of inquiry would be constituted, subject to the necessary approvals, to investigate the latest incident and previous fire outbreaks at the complex.
Adelabu identified illegal structures, unauthorised shop extensions and shanties obstructing emergency routes as major challenges encountered by firefighters during the latest incident.
He warned that the government would no longer tolerate developments capable of endangering lives, businesses and investments.
The commissioner also raised concerns over unauthorised subletting, particularly where shop allottees divide their spaces among multiple occupants without government approval.
He proposed compulsory fire extinguishers for traders, giving solar-system operators seven days to comply and other occupants 21 days. Possible sanctions, including shop closures for defaulters, were also among the proposals submitted to the governor.
At Saturday’s meeting with traders affected by the demolition exercise, Adelabu explained that the complex was developed according to an approved master plan, which must be respected to ensure accessibility, safety and proper commercial planning.
He maintained that the demolition was not intended to victimise traders but to remove structures obstructing roads, waterways and other designated public spaces.
The commissioner dismissed allegations that the exercise targeted particular traders or shops featured in videos circulating on social media, insisting that all illegal structures across the complex would be covered.
He directed affected traders to submit valid allocation documents for verification, assuring genuine victims that the government would consider alternative shops in appropriate locations.
“We are not saying that genuine traders should lose their means of livelihood. Those who are genuinely affected should submit their allocation documents for verification. Government will look at their cases and consider alternative shops in appropriate locations where their businesses can operate without obstructing roads and waterways,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olajide Mamud Okesade, said the government recognised the economic difficulties facing affected traders but maintained that public safety and the approved layout remained priorities.
He disclosed that officials were identifying suitable locations for traders who qualified for consideration, while clearance work was continuing on obstructed access routes, including the road linking Mukaila Adebayo Mosque to the Inuike section.
The intervention comes amid earlier concerns over the redevelopment of the complex. In October 2026, traders protested delays in completing replacement shops after reportedly paying N2m each under an arrangement with the developer, Hamex Investment Limited.
The government subsequently directed the developer to resume work and set fresh deadlines for the completion of outstanding shops.
Reacting to the latest incident, the Babaloja-General, Alhaji Abass Yekini Oladapo, said goods worth billions of naira were reportedly destroyed and appealed for government assistance.
The Babaloja of the complex, Alhaji Adebayo, commended the state government’s intervention and expressed support for the removal of illegal structures.
Affected traders also appealed for assistance, saying the demolition had disrupted their businesses and livelihoods.
The state government maintained that restoring the complex’s original master plan, improving emergency access and enforcing fire safety measures were necessary to protect traders, customers and commercial investments.
