Fire guts shops, goods in popular Yobe market

Several shops and goods worth millions of naira have been destroyed by fire at Nguru popular central market in Yobe State.

The Chairman of the Nguru Local government council, Madu Kachalla who confirmed the incident to Channels Television said no life was lost but many businessmen who have shops were severely affected by the disaster.

The cause of the fire incident is yet to be known, but eyewitnesses said it might have been caused by illegal electrical connections.

Nguru, is one of the populous local governments in which Governor Mai Mala Buni has almost completed the construction of a modern market to reduce congestions.

As at the time of filling in this report, the fire is still raging as emergency operators including firefighters battle the fire.

In reaction, the state governor Mai Mala Buni in a statement on Saturday described the incident as sad and unfortunate.

He said the yearly reoccurrence of the fire incident has continued to rob traders of their means of livelihood.

He promised that the government would continue to explore means of making life meaningful to the people.

“This explains why this administration is committed to building modern markets with fireproof materials across the state to safeguard our traders and their means of livelihood.

“Government will ensure timely completion of the markets and allocate them to our traders to improve their means of livelihoods” the statement read in part.

The governor also directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to assess the damages and furnish the government with the details. (Channels TV)