The famed Benin Monarch market, which is near to the palace of the Oba of Benin Kingdom, was completely destroyed by fire in the early hours of Monday.
Our attempts to contact the State Fire Service were unsuccessful, according to an eyewitness who begged not to be identified, since the state-owned fire department claimed to be without fuel and water.
You alone are able to see everything, Oga. We contacted the fire department as soon as the fire started. They were limited to stating that there was not enough fuel or water for assistance.

“Oga, you see this fire service office right behind this building, and you see the Oba market? They said they don’t have fuel or water.” You may picture it.

Additionally, Madam Blackky Ogiamien, the state’s female leader, expressed her amazement at receiving a distress call about the occurrence.

“One of my members called to inform me that Oba Market was on fire between one and two in the morning. Thank God for the firemen from Government House, as I hurried down from my home on Dumez Road; otherwise, the entire market would have burned down.

One of my members called to inform me that the Oba market was on fire between one and two in the morning. Thank God for the Government House firemen, as I hurried down from my Dumez Road home, or else the entire market would have burned down.

We haven’t had a fire problem since Benin’s marketplaces were closed, so the authorities decided to reopen this one and investigate the situation.

The fact that this incident has occurred and the Ekiosa incident from last year make the situation much more frightening, she continued. We are still considering our options.