Ekiti State governor, Biodun Oyebanji, yesterday vowed to take decisive action against criminals who looted property during a midnight fire in Igede Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Council of the state.

The governor also pledged to investigate those behind the looting and ensure they face justice. He described the act as an extreme display of wickedness, noting that such behaviour should not occur in an ideal society.

Oyebanji made the remarks in Igede Ekiti during an on-the-spot assessment of the fire outbreak, which engulfed two buildings comprising six shops and residential apartments.

The Guardian learnt that the fire, which started around 1:30 a.m., razed the buildings and destroyed property worth millions of naira before the intervention of the Ekiti State Fire Services.

Addressing the victims, Oyebanji, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, sympathised with them and assured them that the government would provide relief materials to ease their suffering.

He expressed gratitude to God that no lives were lost in the incident and attributed the fire to a possible electrical spark caused by high voltage and melting wires. He urged shop owners to always turn off their electrical appliances at night.

During the visit, the governor also met with the Onigede of Igede Ekiti, Oba James Aladesuru, at his palace to sympathise with him over the incident. He assured the monarch that his administration would begin enumeration of the victims’ losses for prompt intervention.

“I believe the fire may have started from an electrical spark. The government has consistently advised our people to switch off their appliances when not in use. Those who left their shops without turning off the lights contributed to this painful incident,” he said.

“The high voltage likely melted the wires, leading to a fire that spread across the buildings. I urge everyone to follow government advice on the proper use of electricity. We sympathise with you. This incident deeply saddened our governor, but we assure you of our intervention. The Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency will soon conduct an assessment of the victims’ losses.”

On the issue of looting, the governor expressed displeasure, saying, “I am not happy that some people looted property instead of helping to safeguard them. This is bad and wicked. We will investigate the matter, and anyone found guilty will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.”

One of the victims, Mr Chinedu Nbamu, appreciated the governor’s visit and called for an investigation into the looting to deter others. Nbamu described the incident as distressing and refuted claims that the fire originated from his multi-million-naira shop.

Expressing grief over the incident, the Onigede of Igede Ekiti, Oba James Aladesuru, thanked the governor for his empathy and urged the government to provide palliatives quickly to help the victims return to their businesses.