A massive fire outbreak at a GSM village near Kpata Market in Lokoja, Kogi State, has destroyed properties worth millions of naira.
According to The PUNCH, the fire, which reportedly started in the early hours of Thursday due to a power surge, left shop owners unable to save their goods as the flames quickly spread out of control.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire began around 5:30 a.m., ravaging several shops. One of the affected traders, Muhammed Yahaya, recounted how he received a call alerting him to the incident.
“When I arrived, many shops had already been consumed by the fire. We believe the high voltage in the electricity supply caused it, as residents nearby said it affected their electrical appliances like fans and lights,” Yahaya explained.
The fire destroyed phones, laptops, and accessories, with many traders suffering significant losses.
Yahaya lamented, “The most unfortunate thing is that many of us had just received new stock this week. It’s a devastating blow, especially for those of us who have built our businesses over the past 15 years.”
Yahaya, along with other affected traders, appealed to the Kogi State Government for financial assistance and support in rebuilding the GSM village.
“We are resourceful youths, many of us graduates, who created our own jobs instead of waiting for the government. We ask the government to help us recover from this tragedy,” he said.
Moses Felix, Financial Secretary of the Kogi Association of Phones and Accessories Dealers, also expressed his distress, stating that the incident has left him emotionally and financially devastated.
“I lost all the goods I received this week, including laptops for repairs and sales. As a married man with a family to support, I don’t know how to start again,” he said.
Felix urged the government to step in, highlighting how many traders at the GSM village employ others. “I have three boys working for me, and now they’ll be without jobs. We need urgent help,” he added.
