The Oyo State Command of the Federal Fire Service has vehemently criticized the haphazard construction of shops in marketplaces, asserting that such actions greatly impede effective responses to fire emergencies and other crises throughout the state.

This important message was conveyed by Olojo Ayodeji, the Zonal Commander of the Federal Fire Service for Oyo and Osun States, during the launch of the 2025 National Fire Safety Week on Monday in Ibadan. The event was themed: “Building the Culture of Fire Safety Across Nigeria: Overcoming the ‘Not My Portion’ Mentality.”

Commander Ayodeji pointed out that destructive fire incidents frequently occur in markets due to the presence of highly flammable materials that can easily ignite and swiftly spread flames during an emergency.

The zonal controller emphasized that actions by relevant stakeholders to address the indiscriminate and unlawful construction of buildings in marketplaces across the state would play a significant role in lowering fire incidents. He explained the service’s concern: “These unauthorized structures block easy access during emergencies.” He added, “If appropriate structures are built and safety protocols are adhered to, it will greatly ease the challenges in responding to fire emergencies in markets and other locations.”

Ayodeji noted that the National Safety Week is an annual initiative carried out during the dry season, which is when fire incidents are most rampant. He explained the main aim of the initiative, stating: “We take this opportunity to educate the public about fire safety and emergency readiness, and we will be visiting markets, schools, offices, and other locations for outreach.”

During a presentation at the event, Oke Ayodeji, a Superintendent of Fire, shared a concerning statistic, attributing 80 percent of fire incidents in Nigeria to negligence and the careless behavior of citizens.

Superintendent Ayodeji urged Nigerians to abandon the “not my portion” mentality and take a more proactive stance to decrease the occurrence of fire outbreaks in the nation. He stressed that fires can happen anytime and anywhere, urging individuals to shed negligent attitudes and strictly follow fire safety guidelines. He concluded with a strong call for change: “Embracing the right mindset and discarding the ‘not my portion’ mentality will benefit us and the nation overall.”

In his comments, the Controller of the Federal Fire Service, Oyo State Command, Adeyemo Ariyo, reaffirmed the service’s ongoing dedication, stating that the service would persist in educating the public on measures to prevent and mitigate fire incidents in the state.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the event witnessed participation from representatives of various agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency, the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Nigeria Customs Service.