A fire outbreak has razed a rice mill in Ega-Idah, the headquarters of Idah Local Government Area in Kogi State.
According to sources, the incident occurred around 3 a.m. on Thursday following an explosion heard in the area.
The rice mill, a joint venture operated by two friends, the late Muhammed and Amodu, had been a vital service hub for local farmers and rice merchants in Idah and the nearby Ibaji communities.
A security guard on duty claimed to have heard a sound resembling a matchstick being struck, followed by a spark and an explosion that engulfed the mill in flames.
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The absence of electricity at the time hindered efforts to identify any suspects, he said.
“This is the peak season for our business, and this incident is a severe setback,” lamented Musa, a rice merchant from Idah.
He added that the destruction of the mill, valued at over N200 million, would significantly impact the local economy, particularly during the festive season when the demand for rice is high.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Kogi State, SP Williams Aya, for comments were unsuccessful.
