Fire outbreak at Kugbo Furniture Market along Abuja-Keffi Expressway Friday, October 2, has destroyed 21 shops and one vehicle, according to National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA. No deaths were recorded.
NEMA said Abuja Operations Office received distress call at about 11:15 a.m. and immediately mobilised Federal Fire Service and other emergency responders. Firefighters contained blaze and prevented it from spreading to adjoining shops, with operations ending at about 1:40 p.m.
Some valuables were recovered from affected shops during emergency operation.
Chairman of Kugbo Wood Machinist Association, Godswill Ndukwe, said traders estimated losses at more than N500 million, while appealing to authorities to address recurring fire incidents at market.
Exact cause of fire has not been officially established. Eyewitness attributed outbreak to electrical spark following power restoration, but account has not been independently confirmed by emergency authorities.
