Tragic Fire Ravages Masaka Market: Traders Appeal For Urgent Government Assistance

Traders in Masaka, located in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, are grappling with immense losses following a devastating fire outbreak that consumed the local market on Friday around 10 p.m.

Traders Share Their Painful Losses

In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, traders recounted the heartbreaking aftermath of the fire, revealing financial ruin, destroyed goods, and an urgent need for assistance.

Ahmed Ayuba, a trader, expressed profound despair over his situation:
“I’m devastated. All my goods were burnt to ashes, leaving me with nothing. Many of these items were already paid for, so not only have I lost money, but I’m now in debt. The government must step in to help us.”

John Uche, an electronics dealer, revealed that the chaos of the fire also led to widespread looting:
“I lost everything, including the money I kept in my shop. I had purchased goods with a bank loan, and now it’s all gone. To make matters worse, some people took advantage of the situation to steal what was left.”

Zainab Usman, a tailor and cold drinks vendor, said her losses amount to over three million naira:
“My shop was completely affected, and I don’t know how I’ll recover. We urgently need government intervention to help us rebuild.”

For Victoria Ellas, a foodstuff seller, the situation is even more dire. She disclosed losing goods worth over five million naira and shared her struggle as a widow:
“My husband passed away last year, and I’ve been struggling to make ends meet. Now, everything I’ve worked for has been destroyed. I’m pleading with the government to assist us.”

Desperation and Helplessness in the Aftermath

Other traders echoed similar sentiments. Ifeoma Eze described the helplessness she felt watching her livelihood go up in flames:
“By the time we arrived, the entire market was engulfed in fire. We could only stand and watch as our goods burned. I couldn’t save a single item from my shop. This has left many of us in shock, and some traders are now hospitalized.”

A Call for Urgent Intervention

The traders are united in their plea for immediate government support to help them recover from the tragedy. With millions of naira in goods lost and lives thrown into turmoil, they urgently need assistance to rebuild their businesses and restore their livelihoods.