Chairman of Temporary Terminus Market Jos, Plateau State, Mustapha Ibrahim, has revealed that over 500 shops and goods worth N1 billion were destroyed during an inferno that ravaged the market on Tuesday night.
The inferno reportedly occurred around 11pm on Tuesday, destroying a significant part of the market.
The market, located in the heart of Jos City, serves as a major hub for traders dealing in clothing, footwear, handbags, and various fashion accessories.
Speaking with Daily Trust newspaper, Mr Ibrahim said: “We have lost more than 500 shops, although the evaluation of capital loss is ongoing. However, I can confirm that goods worth over N1 billion have been destroyed.”
Lamenting the devastating impact of the incident, the chairman appealed to relevant authorities for assistance.
He also said investigation was ongoing to unravel the cause of the fire outbreak.
“I received information that it began around 11pm, but I can’t confirm the exact cause. What I can say is that it wasn’t due to an electrical fault, as we always ensure the main fuse is removed before leaving the market,” he added.
He expressed concern over the fire service response, alleging that firefighters failed to show up despite personally visiting their office on Masallacin Juma’a Street.
“After calling them, there was no response. I went to their office and found all operational vehicles grounded. I then contacted Hon. Adamu Aliyu, our representative in the Plateau State House of Assembly, who reached out to the Government House. Eventually, one fire truck was dispatched from Bukuru,” he said.
However, according to him, the only vehicle deployed could not effectively combat the fire due to depleted water supply.
“By the time the truck returned after refilling, a large portion of the market had been gutted,” he said.
