A midnight fire outbreak yesterday destroyed about 20 shops and goods estimated at over ₦200 million at the NIPOST Shopping Complex near the Dugbe General Post Office in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The blaze, which began around 11:30 p.m., was reportedly sparked by a road accident involving a Lexus saloon car along the Dugbe-Iyaganku corridor.
Eyewitnesses said the vehicle, allegedly driven at high speed, veered off the road after the driver lost control and rammed into a large billboard positioned in front of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) station in Ibadan.
The impact caused the car to overturn and break into two parts. Witnesses further disclosed that the rear portion of the vehicle, which contained a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinder, rolled into the nearby shopping complex before exploding.
The explosion ignited a massive fire that quickly spread through several shops, destroying merchandise including stationery items, computer accessories and textiles.
Officials of the Oyo State Fire Service were said to have responded promptly, preventing the inferno from extending to the General Post Office building and adjoining business premises.
Despite the severity of the crash, the occupants of the Lexus reportedly escaped without sustaining serious injuries.
The damaged billboard bore campaign advertisements of two aspirants for the Oyo South Senatorial District seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As of Sunday morning, security personnel and firefighters were still at the scene managing the aftermath of the incident and conducting preliminary investigations.
One of the affected shop owners, Kingsley Chioma, lamented the losses suffered by traders and expressed hope that those responsible for the incident would be brought to justice. He said the Divisional Police Officer of the Iyaganku Police Division had assured victims that efforts were underway to apprehend the driver involved in the crash.
