By Foster Obi
Bida market in Niger state was Thursday night attacked by fire which consumed shops put at over 600.
The fire, which started at about 8.30 p.m. destroyed goods and other property in the old market.
Eye witness’s account said firemen from the Bida Fire Service and Federal Polytechnic Fire Service could not access the burnt section of the market as some shops were still in flames.
Economy Watch Nigeria could not ascertain the cause of the fire as at the time this report.
But Alhaji Mohammad Badugu, the Chairman, Bida Local Government, told NAN that the entire market was affected by the fire.
“We are expecting more fire-fighting vehicles from Minna as our neighbouring local government’s fire-fighting engines are not in good condition,” Bagudu said.
He confirmed that the Bida fire service and Federal Polytechnic fire service, the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and good Samaritans rallied to extinguish the fire.
According to the chairman, all the 600 shops in the old market were completely burnt.
He listed goods destroyed to include clothes, motorcycles, building materials, bags of maize, beans, rice, palm oil and poultry products.
He expressed shock at the development, promising that the council would try to rebuild the market without much delay.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Dibal Yakadi, confirmed the incidence.
“My Area Commander is leading police personnel deployed to maintain security of lives and property in the market,’’ Yakadi said.
He explained that the police were there to prevent miscreants from stealing and ensure law and order in the market.
