A devastating fire erupted late Sunday night at Katako Market in Laranto, Jos North Local Government Area, causing massive destruction of property worth millions of naira.
The fire started around 11 p.m., catching traders and local residents by surprise, as most businesses had already closed.
Despite the efforts of several people who rushed to the scene to assist in battling the flames, extensive damage had already occurred by the time support arrived.
Alhaji Idris Shehu, the chairman of the market, confirmed the significant financial losses but indicated that the exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
The incident has left many traders devastated, having lost their livelihoods overnight.
This tragedy is not the first of its kind at Katako Market. Just last year, a major fire, believed to have been caused by an electrical fault, wreaked havoc, destroying both goods and vehicles.
The recurrence of these incidents has led traders and community members to demand a thorough investigation and the implementation of preventive measures to safeguard the market against future fires.
The community is also calling on authorities to enhance fire safety infrastructure and establish more effective emergency response systems in the area.