A 73-year-old pastor, identified as Awolola, has been burnt to death in a fire he allegedly ignited on his own farmland in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The tragic incident occurred on Monday around 11:58 a.m. at Cemetery Road in the Irewolede area. According to eyewitnesses and officials, the pastor set fire to clear undergrowth on a parcel of land containing an incomplete building with a perimeter fence and a gated entrance.
The Kwara State Fire Service confirmed the event. In a statement by its Head of Media, Hassan Adekunle, the service detailed that the fire rapidly spread and blocked the only exit.
“Findings revealed that the undergrowth fire spread rapidly and engulfed the only exit from the premises. In an attempt to escape, the victim tried to leave through the fence, but the fire had already advanced to that point, resulting in his death,” Adekunle stated.
Firefighters who responded to a distress call successfully extinguished the blaze, preventing it from spreading to adjoining properties. The victim was found dead at the scene. His body was recovered and handed over to the community chairman, Mr. Sunday Nuha.
The Director of the State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, expressed deep sadness over the incident and issued a strong warning against bush burning, especially during the current dry season.
He described the practice as “extremely dangerous and unpredictable,” noting it often leads to avoidable loss of life and property.
“Bush burning is extremely risky, particularly in dry and windy conditions. Members of the public are advised to adopt safer land-clearing methods and to promptly report fire outbreaks to avoid loss of lives and property,” Muhammed advised.
He reiterated the agency’s commitment to protecting lives and urged residents to comply with fire safety regulations, as fire outbreaks have increased across the state in recent weeks.
