How suspected criminals set tailoring line, Gombe old market ablaze
….. victims decry N70m loss
In the early hours of Wednesday, tragedy struck the Gombe old market when fire outbreak, allegedly caused by a gang of suspected army robbers, resulted in massive losses estimated at over 70 million naira.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA gathered that the incident occurred at about 12am around the tailoring line, engulfing around 20 shops and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. In addition to the property lost, goods worth millions of naira were stolen from the affected tailor’s shops.
One of the affected shop owners, Aminu Abdulrahman, shared his harrowing experience, recounting how he received a distress phone call at 1am, informing him of the inferno. He tragically lost ten sewing machines and various other valuable items, with an estimated worth of 2.5 million naira.
Sani Idris, another shop owner at the Gombe Old Market, described the incident with deep sadness.
He revealed that he also received a phone call around 1am, alerting him to the act of arson committed by the suspected robbers. He lost five sewing machines, weavings, and other materials, with an estimated value of N800,000. He appealed to the government and well-to-do individuals to extend a helping hand to the affected shop owners during this challenging time.
Reacting to the devastating incident, Honourable Abu Safwan Muhammad Tukur, Chairman of the Gombe State Tailoring Association Old Market Branch, expressed shock and grief.
He emphasised that their members had lost everything, including sewing machines and valuable merchandise, causing estimated losses that may exceed 70 million naira.
Tukur urged the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency to swiftly intervene and provide assistance to the affected shop owners.
When contacted the Gombe State Director, State Emergency Management Agency, Malam Muhammad Garba, assured the public that the government would make every effort to help those affected.
“The agency is working to provide relief materials that will alleviate the hardship faced by the affected shop owners during this difficult time,” Garba said.
Our correspondent reports that the fire outbreak at the Gombe Old Market has left the entire community in shock, and the loss of property and livelihoods has been deeply felt by many.
As investigations into the incident continue, the affected shop owners are hopeful that the government’s intervention and the support of well-wishers would help them recover and rebuild their businesses.
Report by Abubakar Abdullahi, Gombe.
