Heavy Protest As Fire Razes Multi-billion Naira Goods In Borno Market

Foods worth billions of Naira have been razed by fire disaster which erupted in a popular Maiduguri Monday Market located at the heart of Borno State capital city on Sunday.

The inferno was said to have started in the early morning on Sunday, causing havoc and pandemonium in the area.

According to the residents close to the market, the fire started around 1 am Sunday, but the people could not gain access instant access to the market amidst security measures to prevent unwanted persons from looting.

Sources reported that one of the residents whose house is located adjacent to the market said nine of his shops were razed down in addition to his central shop, adding that he, however, managed to pick some items from his warehouse.

The resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said with the magnitude of the fire, it was only an helicopter that could be used for immediate stoppage of the inferno.

Another shop owner and victim of the inferno said he and his neighbours only met their goods in ashes at the time they arrived at the market.

He called on the Borno State government and good spirited individuals to come to the aid of the traders in the market, adding that almost all the sections of the market were razed to ashes.

LEADERSHIP reports that the fire was still raging as of 8:30am on Sunday morning despite the frantic efforts of the Fire Service men.

Meanwhile, there was pandemonium resulting from protest from some youths who were alleging that the fire incident was deliberately masterminded.

The protest forced security agents, who were deployed in their numbers, to the market to fire gunshots and teargas cannisters to disperse the rampaging youths, while numerous people who besieged the market over the fire outbreak scampered for safety.