By Sam Kayode
The mega billion naira market in the centre of Maiduguri also known as “Monday market” has been razed down by a mysterious fire in the wee hours of the morning.
The strange fire which occurred at about 2am Sunday morning according to eye witnesses, took the entire residents of the metropolis by surprise.
Some store owners who responded to emergency phone calls managed to salvage their products from the scene when they heard about the tragedy while many others just stood watching helplessly while their well built and some make shift structures got burnt down.
” I rushed to the scene at about 3am to see if I can salvage some of the clothes I sell but realized very late that it was already in ashes” said Musa yard, one of the clothes dealers in the structure.
Many of them called for Immediate support to enable them take care of their families.
Zulum makes state broadcast, calling for calm
Meanwhile Governor Babagana Zulum in a broadcast has awarded a total of 1 billion naira as instant relief to the traders and others affected by the inferno.
In a state broadcast to residents the Governor consoled the victims of the inferno and immediately set up a committee that would asses the entire damage inflicted by the fire
His words “ I feel deeply pained by this incident and I know how painful it is for anyone to work hard over years to build his or her business but end up losing that investment in seconds. I really feel the pains of everyone affected by this incident. I commiserate with all of you. I kindly and most respectfully urge you to be calm and patient. I know how bad you feel and insha’Allah, the Borno State Government is already taking the following measures to ameliorate the situation:
” I have approved the release of one billion naira as emergency relief for us to quickly support victims of the disaster because we know that some of them may even have difficulty of surviving the next few days. Many rely on daily businesses in order to cater for themselves.
“We are setting up an assessment committee that will comprise respectable individuals from our society including representatives of the victims, for us to speedily assess damages, and take comprehensive list of those affected and their losses. I will also be holding meeting with the leadership of the market and representatives of victims.
” I am going to see Mr President and seek for presidential intervention on how to get support for victims.
” We will also reach out to other humanitarian establishments to seek help.
“Insha’Allah, we will be taking firm measures towards preventing reoccurrence of this fire disaster that has occurred in previous years.
” I will like to respectfully appeal to everyone for calmness. I know how you feel. I feel your pain and we will support you through whatever means we can, insha’Allah.
” in the meantime, I urge us not to politicize this unfortunate incident. I recognize that the incident is happening at a political time, but we all know the Monday market has unfortunately faced fire disaster in previous times and this is sad. We have to find ways of ensuring this unfortunate fire disaster does not happen again and we will work together to ensure this. ”
High tension plus from traders and residents
Many residents were seen milling around Ali Kotoko Street off post office area wondering what may have caused the inferno since nobody is expected to be sleeping inside the massive structure by that unholy hour.
While residents milled up and down the dual carriage way, tension mounted and young people started attacking any one in sight including people who are believed to be sympathizers of the main opposition party in the state which is peoples democratic party PDP
In the process two reporters were assaulted for daring to come close to the area to cover the tragedy this morning.
One of them Pauline Kuje of the nta was so badly assaulted that she was rushed to the hospital of the 7 division of the Nigerian Army in maiduguri for treatment.
She was still receiving treatment from military doctors as at the time of writing this report.
Meanwhile men of the 7 division of the Nigerian Army have cordoned the entrance into the Monday market from the post office round about axis to the junction of Ali Kotoko Street close to yola electricity headquarters in Borno.
