A devastating fire broke out early Thursday morning at the GSM village near Kpata Market in Lokoja, Kogi State, destroying properties valued at millions of naira.
According to reports from The PUNCH, the blaze, which is believed to have been caused by a power surge, spread rapidly, leaving shop owners unable to salvage their goods. Eyewitnesses reported that the fire began around 5:30 a.m., consuming several shops before help could arrive.
One of the affected traders, Muhammed Yahaya, recounted receiving a distress call about the fire. “By the time I got there, many shops were already gone. We suspect a power surge, as nearby residents said their electrical appliances were also damaged,” Yahaya explained.
Phones, laptops, and various accessories were destroyed in the fire, with traders suffering heavy losses. “What makes it worse is that many of us had just restocked this week,” Yahaya lamented. “This is a major setback, especially for those who have been in business for over a decade.”
Both Yahaya and other traders have appealed to the Kogi State Government for assistance in rebuilding their businesses. “We are hardworking youths, many of us graduates who have created jobs for ourselves. We need the government’s support to bounce back,” he added.
Moses Felix, Financial Secretary of the Kogi Association of Phones and Accessories Dealers, also expressed his anguish. “I lost everything, including laptops I had just received for repairs and sale. I have a family to feed, and now I don’t know how to start again,” Felix said.
He further emphasized the broader impact on employment, noting that many traders in the GSM village hire others. “I have three workers, and now they’re without jobs. We urgently need government intervention,” he urged.
The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, and the affected traders are hopeful for swift government action to help them recover from this tragic incident.
