Twelve stores housing assorted goods estimated at N60 million were destroyed on Saturday, December 16, by an early morning fire in the densely populated Road Block area of Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.
One of the affected persons, Mohammed Musa a.k.a Baba Gas, told our correspondent that the fire was sparked by a process of refuelling irrigation engines by dry season farmers who were preparing to go to work that early morning.
Musa who identified himself as chairman, Black Marketers of Jalingo, said goods that were lost include: second hand clothes, phone accessories, plastic and leather materials, farm produce and fuel belonging to black marketers.
He said: “I witnessed the inferno and how people were trying to control it but the damage had already been done. The fire consumed at least 12 stores belonging to small traders who use them to keep their wares.
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“Those who lost their goods are too numerous to mention. We have those that deal on second hand clothes, phone accessories, plastic and leather bags and black marketers.
“Some of our neighbours who keep their farm produce for business were also affected. The value of goods in each store can’t be less than N5 million.
It was however learnt the fire service agents came but retreated when they felt their safety was not guaranteed during the pandemonium at the scene.
According to Musa, no casualties were recorded apart from a few injuries and those who suffered from tear gas spread by security agents who later intervened.
Musa who was looking forlorn among his sympathizers, called on friends and government to assist them in order to start all over again having lost everything to the unfortunate incident.
He added: “I am calling on government to assist us to be on our feet again. We have at least 300 persons who are looking for their daily bread here including civil servants. Like me, I have been depending on this business for up to 30 years.
“I have sustained my family and siblings through this business. I have never worked with government. This is where i get my daily bread. I have 21 dependants. With what just happened, apart from the little I have left, there is nothing else.
“We need contribution from friends, especially the government. They should hasten and help us to get back to business in order to survive,” he pleaded.
The Nation
