Days after a fire razed the popular Ijesha market, traders are still counting their losses while appealing for support from both the federal and state governments.
At least 62 shops and 28 houses were completely destroyed by the fire which occurred on Saturday.
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The fire, which responders said started around 5:00pm, razed down goods worth millions of naira. Luckily, no life was lost during the inferno which started from a gas cylinder kept in a room that was converted into a store.
Nneka Okonji, one of the affected traders, said the fire destroyed all her life savings.
She said she had gone to stock her shop with groceries and baby wears the previous week preparatory to starting fresh sales in the new year.
“What a way to start a year! Last year, it was COVID-19 which affected our sales. Now it is fire. What a world! I lost over N6 million in the inferno. How do I start this year? How do I pay the loan I collected from a microfinance bank?” she said while fighting back tears.
Another trader, Risikat Ibrahim, called on the government to come to their aid, stressing that if help fails to come, some of the affected traders might die as a result of hardship.
Assistant Territorial Manager of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, said the fire outbreak at Ijesa Market completely destroyed about 14 shops, partially affected 48 shops and destroyed an adjoining residential house with 24 rooms.
He said 62 traders and about 28 households were affected by the fire.
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