73-Year-Old Pastor Burns To Death While Clearing His Land In Ilorin

Ilorin,  kwara State– A 73-year-old man, identified as Pastor Awolola, has lost his life in a tragic fire incident after reportedly setting undergrowth ablaze on a parcel of land he owned along Cemetery Road, Irewolede Area of Ilorin, Kwara State.

Afrika Eyes  gathered that the incident occurred on Monday, January 26, 2026, prompting an emergency response from the Kwara State Fire Service at about 11:58am, following a distress call from residents of the area.

According to an official statement issued on Monday by the Head of the Media Unit to the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, the deceased had ignited undergrowth on his land, which housed an incomplete building enclosed by a perimeter fence with a gated entrance.

Preliminary findings revealed that the fire quickly spread beyond control, intensified by dry vegetation and prevailing weather conditions. The flames reportedly engulfed the only exit point from the premises, trapping the elderly man inside.

“In an attempt to escape the raging fire, the victim tried to scale the perimeter fence,” the statement said. “Unfortunately, the fire had already advanced to that point, leaving him with no escape route and resulting in his death.”

Firefighters from the Kwara State Fire Service arrived swiftly at the scene and immediately engaged the inferno. The blaze was successfully extinguished, preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings and properties in the densely populated area.

After the operation, the lifeless body of Pastor Awolola was recovered from the scene and subsequently handed over to the Community Chairman, Mr. Sunday Nuha, for further necessary action in line with community and statutory procedures.

Reacting to the incident, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Chief Fire Service (CFS) Alabi Muhammed, expressed deep sorrow over the unfortunate death, describing it as tragic, painful, and avoidable.

He warned residents of the state against bush and undergrowth burning, stressing that the practice remains one of the leading causes of fire-related deaths and property destruction.

“Bush burning is extremely dangerous and unpredictable, especially during dry and windy conditions,” CFS Muhammed said. “Many people underestimate how fast fire can spread, and this often leads to avoidable loss of lives and valuable property.”

The fire service boss urged members of the public to adopt safer alternatives for land clearing, including mechanical and manual methods, and advised that any fire outbreak should be promptly reported to emergency services to prevent escalation.

He reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Kwara State Fire Service to protecting lives and property across the state.