Kwara Fire Service Cries Out Over Encroachment On Mandate Market Station

In a bid to safeguard lives and properties, the Kwara State Fire Service has issued a warning to individuals and groups encroaching on its fire station located within the Mandate Market in Ilorin. The warning, which was contained in a statement released by the service's spokesperson, Hassan Adekunle, emphasized the importance of protecting the facility from unauthorized occupation and conversion. This warning comes after an inspection visit to the station revealed that parts of the premises had been taken over by unauthorized structures and occupants. The fire station, which serves not only the Mandate Market but also surrounding communities such as Adewole, Warrah, Oloje, and Oko-Olowo, plays a critical role in emergency response. The service highlighted that the station's proximity to these areas enables firefighters to respond quickly to emergencies, stressing that its location is crucial in determining the extent of damage during fire outbreaks. The warning also comes months after a midnight fire incident at the Mandate Market destroyed 24 shops, an incident that underscored the importance of unobstructed access to emergency scenes. Firefighters during the incident faced challenges in accessing the affected location due to encroachment, which resulted in valuable response time being lost. The service noted that such obstructions could lead to fires spreading to neighboring businesses, especially in closely packed markets where combustible materials are stored. The Mandate Market Fire Station has a long history, with records indicating that the site was one of the earliest government facilities established in the market area. The facility was constructed in 1989 and has since been a part of the state's emergency response infrastructure. The Kwara State Fire Service has called on individuals and groups involved in encroaching on the station to desist, emphasizing that the fire station must remain a facility dedicated to protecting lives and properties. The service also urged relevant authorities and stakeholders to protect the integrity of the facility and ensure that emergency access routes remain clear and unobstructed.