An early morning market inferno, yesterday, gutted the Nguru Central Market in Nigeria’s NorthEastern state –Yobe State, destroying hundreds of shops with over N55million worth of goods.
According to the chairman of traders association in Nguru Central Market,
Ibrahim Adam, the fire incident occurred about 7am.
Adam said the market inferno was triggered by high electric voltage, destroying over 300 shops containing provisions, fabrics among other items.
Confirming the incident in Damaturu, the state capital, the Information Officer of Nguru Local Council, Audu Yaro, said the fire raged for over three hours, as there was no fire service in the local council.
Mai Mala Buni, Governor of the state, described the incident as “sad and unfortunate”.
Buni said the recurrence of fire outbreaks has continued to rob traders of their means of livelihood.
“Government will continue to explore means of making life meaningful to the people,” Buni said.
“This explains why this administration is committed to building modern markets with fire-proof materials across the state to safeguard our traders and their means of livelihood.
“Government will ensure timely completion of the modern markets and allocate them to our traders to improve their means of livelihood.”
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has expressed commiserated with the victims.
“I commiserate with the people of Nguru and in particular, those who are directly affected by the fire outbreak at the main market,” he said.
The governor has directed the state emergency management agency (SEMA) to assess the damages from the Central market inferno and provide the government with the details for immediate action.