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By Tracy Moses
A late-night fire on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, engulfed parts of the Jos Main Market in Plateau State, destroying goods and properties worth millions of naira.
The fire, which reportedly started around 11:30 p.m., caught residents and traders off guard as most had retired for the night. Despite the efforts of the Plateau State Fire Service and courageous volunteers, several shops and wares were consumed by the inferno.
Chairman of the Jos Main Market Association, Mustapha Ibrahim, while speaking to Pointblank News, lamented the extent of the damage. He hinted that a possible power surge might have triggered the blaze.
“Many shops have been completely razed, and goods worth millions of naira lost to the fire. This is a very painful setback for many traders,” he said.
In reaction to the incident, the Plateau State Government has expressed deep sympathy to the victims of the fire. In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, the government described the fire as a “devastating blow” to the state’s economic nerve centre.
“The unfortunate fire outbreak is a devastating blow to the state’s economic hub, and we share in the grief of all those who suffered losses,” the statement read.
The commissioner commend the swift response of the fire service and the efforts of volunteers who helped to contain the fire. She also urged market stakeholders to work together in prioritising safety and adopting preventive measures to avert future disasters.
“Traders are encouraged to maintain the prevailing peace in the state despite the hardship they may be facing due to this incident,” she added.
According to the statement, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has mobilised a team to investigate the cause of the fire and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence. The governor also assured affected traders of the government’s support in mitigating the impact of the tragedy.