Traders at the Bayan Tasha market in Damaturu, Yobe State, were left devastated after an early-morning fire destroyed properties worth millions of naira, plunging the area into chaos.
The inferno swept through the bustling market, reducing several shops, kiosks, and structures to ashes. Despite the magnitude of the blaze, firefighters from the Yobe State Fire Service managed to contain it, preventing it from spreading to nearby residential areas.
Adamu Yaro, a senior official of the Yobe State Fire Service, confirmed the timely response to the disaster. “The fire was extinguished after we received a distress call in the early hours of December 3,” he said. “Our prompt intervention averted further damage to the surrounding areas.”
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but the incident has reignited concerns over the underutilized Damaturu Modern Market. Built at significant expense, the market has remained locked, forcing traders to operate in less secure and vulnerable conditions at Bayan Tasha.
Many residents have called on the state government to address the issue, noting that relocating traders to the modern market could enhance safety and prevent similar disasters in the future.
As investigations continue, traders are left counting their losses and appealing for government assistance to recover from the devastation.
