News Investigators/ The Chairman, Gwagwalada United Traders International Market Association, Aminu Bakinruwa, said 30 shops were affected in the fire incident that engulfed the market.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Gwagwalada market was engulfed in fire on Nov. 14 at about 8:00 p.m.
Mr Bakinruwa, in an interview with NAN, said preliminary investigations were ongoing to ascertain the actual cause of the fire incident.
He added that so far, it was suspected to have been caused by an electrical fault.
“Initially, there was no light. They later brought the light, and not less than 10 minutes after the light was restored, the fire started. It is suspected to be an electric spark,” he said.
He said the affected section was the area where palm oil and groundnut oil were sold, adding that the products helped to fuel it.
He explained that the prompt intervention of the fire service helped to put the incident under control.
Mr Bakinruwa said the affected traders had been invited to write a statement to ascertain the level of damage and the value of goods lost to the fire incident.
He explained that when concluded, they would reach out to the Chairman, Gwagwalada Area Council, Kasim Mohammed, and the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, for financial assistance.
“The victims, as it stands now, do not know where to start from, given the current economic situation in the country.
“Things are very hard, and most of them have borrowed loans to run their businesses, which they are repaying in instalments. With this incident, it will be very difficult for them to repay the loans,” he said.
Mr Mohammed, in a telephone interview with NAN, sympathised with the traders for their losses, adding that no life was lost in the incident.
He explained that investigation was ongoing between the traders, security agencies and the management of the council to ascertain the actual cause of the fire.
He said the extent of the damage was yet to be ascertained, adding that they would ensure such incident does not occur again.
One of the victims, Mr Sulaiman Isah, who spoke to NAN, said goods worth over N4 million were in his shop, including goods that had been paid for and awaiting delivery.
“When I was called that the market was on fire, I never knew my shop was affected, and on getting there I was denied access by the market security.
“They said fire service was already on ground and allowing people into the market would give hoodlums access to burgle shops.
“I do not know what next to do. All I am begging is for the government to come to our aid. Most of us are operating on loans and have stocked goods for the festive period,” he said.
Some other victims, who recounted the losses, called on the government to assist them to recover from the effect of the incident.
NAN
