The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives, businesses and investments at the Bola-Ige International Business Complex (BIIBCO), New Gbagi, Ibadan, following Thursday’s fire outbreak that affected eight shops, while intensifying efforts to remove illegal structures and restore the complex’s original master plan.
The developments followed separate engagements held on Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, 2026, involving the Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Professor Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu; the Permanent Secretary, Mr Olajide Mamud Okesade; affected traders; market leaders; complex management and other stakeholders.
Speaking during a meeting with affected traders on Friday, Professor Adelabu thanked God that no life was lost in the incident and commiserated with the traders over their losses. He also commended the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Ministry officials, market leaders, traders and complex management for their efforts during the emergency.
The Commissioner disclosed that he had briefed Governor Seyi Makinde, the Deputy Governor and other relevant authorities on the incident. He said letters had also been sent to the State Emergency Management Agency, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Governor’s Executive Assistant on Security and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate possible interventions for the affected traders.
He explained that the Ministry was exploring available state and federal assistance, 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 proper documentation and assessment. He also announced plans for a panel of inquiry, involving relevant stakeholders, to investigate the latest incident and previous fire outbreaks, while the State Emergency Management Agency had been invited to inspect the affected shops.
Professor Adelabu identified illegal structures, shop extensions and shanties obstructing access routes as major challenges to emergency response, noting that fire trucks experienced difficulty reaching some affected shops despite the prompt alert to the Fire Services Agency. He stressed that the Government would not tolerate unauthorised structures that compromise safety and accessibility within the complex.
He further raised concerns about some allottees renting out spaces to multiple traders without the Government’s knowledge or approval, stressing the need for proper documentation and accountability. He noted that the use of a shop as a warehouse did not justify unauthorised multiple occupancy or subletting.
The Commissioner said proposals had been submitted to the Governor for consideration, including the removal of illegal structures, shop extensions and shanties; provision of fire extinguishers by solar-system traders within seven days and other occupants within 21 days; possible sanctions, including closure, for non-compliance; encouragement of insurance coverage for goods; and the establishment of an inquiry panel. He emphasised that the proposals were subject to the Governor’s approval.
At a further meeting on Saturday with traders whose shops were affected by the removal of illegal structures, the Commissioner explained that the Bola-Ige International Business Complex was designed over four decades ago according to an approved master plan, which must be respected to ensure an orderly and functional business environment.
He stated that structures erected on waterways, access roads and other designated rights-of-way outside the approved layout had to be removed to restore proper access and improve emergency response. He described the exercise as a necessary corrective measure rather than an act of wickedness, particularly in view of the challenges encountered by firefighters during the recent incident.
The Commissioner also clarified that the ongoing exercise was not targeted at the particular shops featured in a video circulating on social media or at any group of traders. Rather, it formed part of a comprehensive restructuring exercise covering all illegal structures erected in inappropriate locations across the complex, including those obstructing access roads, waterways and other spaces designated for public use. He explained that the exercise would extend to other parts of BIIBCO to ensure that the original layout and purpose of the facility were restored.
Addressing concerns about the demolished shops, the Government acknowledged that they were constructed by the developer engaged for the development of the complex. However, Professor Adelabu explained that all structures and their locations must be assessed against the approved master plan to ensure that no development obstructs designated access roads, waterways or other spaces meant for public use.
He consequently directed the affected traders to submit their valid allocation documents and other relevant records for verification and proper documentation, with a view to addressing genuine claims and determining appropriate alternative arrangements.
Professor Adelabu assured genuinely affected traders that the Government would consider providing alternative shops at appropriate 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.
The Commissioner further dismissed allegations of looting during the demolition, explaining that the Ministry had records of the affected shops and their occupants. He reiterated that the removal exercise was ongoing and would cover all other illegal structures occupying inappropriate spaces across the complex.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Okesade, said the Government remained mindful of the interests and economic circumstances of traders but could not allow unauthorised structures to obstruct movement, compromise safety or undermine the complex’s approved master plan. He explained that 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 and expressed optimism that the exercise would bring significant improvements in vehicular movement and create a more orderly commercial environment in the coming weeks.
The affected traders appealed for Government support and favourable consideration, explaining that the demolition had disrupted their businesses and livelihoods. They expressed hope that the Government’s intervention and the possible provision of alternative shops would enable them to resume their trading activities.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary had led Ministry management, 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, appealed for succour for the affected traders and called for sustained measures to prevent recurring fire incidents. He also appreciated the Government’s prompt response.
Similarly, the Babaloja of the complex, Alhaji Adebayo, thanked Governor 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 Oyo State Government reiterated that the measures were aimed at safeguarding lives and investments, improving emergency access, restoring the complex’s original master plan and creating a safer, more accessible and orderly environment for traders and other users of the facility.
