The Kwara State Fire Service has warned against further encroachment, unauthorised occupation and conversion of its fire station at Mandate Market, Adewole, Ilorin, saying the development could hinder emergency response and endanger lives and property.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the service’s spokesperson, Hassan Adekunle, on behalf of the Chief Fire Officer, Muhammed Alabi, following an inspection of the facility.
The inspection team, led by the Officer-in-Charge of Administration, observed that parts of the station’s premises had been occupied by unauthorised structures and individuals. The service also said the facility had previously been burgled, resulting in the theft of firefighting equipment, including its steel water reservoir tank.
The service said the station was strategically important because it serves Mandate Market and surrounding areas, including Adewole, Warrah, Oloje and Oko-Olowo. It stressed that quick access to these areas was critical, particularly during the early stages of a fire outbreak.
The warning followed a midnight fire at Mandate Market several months ago that destroyed 24 shops. According to the service, firefighters struggled to get close to the affected area because access routes were obstructed.
It explained that firefighting trucks require clear routes to reach emergencies quickly, warning that shops and other structures blocking such routes could delay intervention and allow fires to spread, especially in densely packed markets where combustible materials are stored.
The service also highlighted the historical importance of the facility, saying the site was among the earliest government facilities established in the market area. The fire station was constructed in 1989 and subsequently handed over to the Kwara State Fire Service for emergency operations.
“The fire station must remain a fire station,” the agency stated, warning individuals and groups against further encroachment, unauthorised construction, occupation or obstruction of the station and its access routes.
The service acknowledged the importance of commercial activities at Mandate Market but said economic interests must not compromise public safety. It urged relevant authorities and stakeholders to remove existing encroachments and keep emergency routes clear.
The agency said preserving the station was essential to protecting traders, residents and businesses within its response area. It reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding firefighting infrastructure across Kwara State and urged stakeholders to treat emergency facilities as critical public-safety assets.
