A fire outbreak on Tuesday razed parts of an OPay office located along the busy Akala Expressway in Ibadan, Oyo State, destroying property estimated to be worth millions of naira and causing panic among residents, motorists, and business operators in the area.
The blaze, which occurred in the afternoon, sent thick plumes of smoke and flames billowing from sections of the fintech company’s premises, attracting a large crowd of onlookers. Eyewitnesses said the fire started suddenly and spread rapidly before emergency responders arrived, with some residents initially mistaking the smoke for generator fumes.
“As soon as people noticed the smoke, there was shouting and everyone started running. Within minutes, the fire intensified and fear gripped the area,” an eyewitness recounted.
Workers in nearby offices reportedly raised the alarm, prompting firefighters from the Oyo State Fire Services Agency to rush to the scene. The fire was eventually brought under control, preventing it from spreading to adjoining buildings and shops.
Security operatives were also deployed to cordon off the area and manage traffic, as vehicular movement along the expressway was temporarily disrupted during the firefighting operation.
Although the cause of the fire had not been officially determined as of press time, authorities confirmed that no lives were lost and no serious injuries were recorded, as staff were said to have evacuated the premises before the fire escalated.
The inferno, however, caused extensive damage, destroying office equipment, furniture, documents, and other valuables. Some affected workers were seen salvaging items from the building after the fire was extinguished.
Officials of the Fire Service said investigations had commenced to determine the cause of the incident and assess the full extent of the damage, adding that recommendations would be made to prevent future occurrences.
OPay is expected to issue an official statement on the incident and outline steps to ensure uninterrupted service delivery to customers in Ibadan and other parts of Oyo State. Meanwhile, residents and business owners in the area have called on authorities to strengthen fire safety enforcement and ensure regular inspection of commercial buildings, particularly those located along major highways.
