Tragedy Strikes GSM Village in Lokoja as Fire Destroys Millions in Property....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

A devastating fire outbreak at a GSM village near Kpata market in Lokoja, Kogi State, has led to the destruction of properties valued in millions of naira. The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, reportedly triggered by a power upsurge that caught shop owners off guard.

Witnesses revealed that the fire quickly spread, preventing traders from salvaging any of their goods. Muhammed Yahaya, a trader who lost significant inventory in the blaze, recounted the alarming moment he was informed about the fire around 5:30 AM. “Upon my arrival, I saw that many shops had already been engulfed in flames,” he stated. Yahaya noted that the excessive power voltage likely contributed to the outbreak, as neighboring homes reported damage to electrical appliances, including fans and lights.

The destruction has resulted in millions of naira worth of goods being lost, with laptops, phones, and accessories among the items destroyed. Tragically, many traders had just received new stock earlier that week. Yahaya expressed his shock and disbelief, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of such a disaster in the market.

In light of this calamity, he has called upon the Kogi State Government for financial assistance to help those affected and to aid in rebuilding the GSM village. “We are resourceful youths and many of us are graduates who have created our own jobs,” Yahaya added. “The properties we’ve nurtured for over 15 years were reduced to ashes within an hour. We need the government’s support urgently, as approximately 200 youths depend on this market for their livelihoods.”

Moses Felix, the Financial Secretary of the Kogi Association of Phones and Accessories Dealers (KAPAD), shared his emotional turmoil over the incident. “I was in tears this morning as I watched my shop go up in flames,” he lamented. “I specialize in laptop repairs and sales, and the goods that just arrived this week are completely gone. Starting from scratch feels overwhelming.”

Felix, a married man with children, expressed his concern about providing for his family amid the current economic challenges. “I employ three workers who will now be left without jobs due to this disaster,” he stated, highlighting the ripple effect of the tragedy on the community.