A section of the Jos Main Market in Plateau State was engulfed by fire late Wednesday night, destroying goods and properties worth millions of naira and leaving many shop owners in anguish.
The inferno reportedly began around 11 p.m., when most residents had retired for the day. Despite initial efforts to contain the blaze, it quickly spread, consuming a significant portion of the market.
Chairman of the Jos Market Association, Mustapha Ibrahim, attributed the possible cause of the fire to an electrical fault. “A spark from an electric cable might have caused the inferno,” he said. However, the Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, said the exact cause was yet to be determined and would be thoroughly investigated. “Investigation would be carried out to ascertain the cause,” she stated.
One of the affected traders, Abdullahi Usman, expressed frustration over the delay in the emergency response. “The response from the Fire Service was not timely,” he lamented.
Commissioner Ramnap, who visited the scene on Thursday, commiserated with traders over the losses incurred. She described the incident as a major setback for Plateau State’s commercial activities.
“The unfortunate fire outbreak is a devastating blow to the state’s economic hub, and we share in the grief of those who suffered losses,” she said.
She, however, acknowledged the efforts of those who responded to the emergency. “The bravery and swift action of the Fire services and other volunteers who were involved helped in putting out the fire,” she added.
Ramnap further urged market stakeholders to prioritise safety measures going forward. “All market stakeholders must work together in prioritising safety and implementing necessary measures to avoid a recurrence of such an unfortunate event,” she said.
As of press time, several traders were seen sifting through the debris, trying to salvage whatever was left of their belongings, while others openly lamented the extensive damage and loss of livelihood.
