Some shop owners at the Gombe Old Market have called on the government for assistance following a fire incident which razed down no fewer than 20 shops with properties worth N100 million lost on Wednesday.
Unconfirmed reports have it that the fire outbreak was allegedly caused by a gang of suspected robbers who massively looted the shops before setting fire on them.
A reliable source told Tribune Online that the fire incident occurred around 12am at the tailoring line of the market
One of the victims, who is a shop owner at the market, Aminu Abdulrahman, shared his experience, recounting how he received a distressing phone call at about 1am, informing him of the inferno.
He stated that his ten sewing machines and various other valuable items including clothes brought for sewing, with an estimated worth of N2.5 million were lost to the fire incident.
Another victim, Sani Idris, described the incident as deep sadness, adding that he lost five sewing machines, weavings, and other materials, with an estimated value of N800,000. Idris appealed to the government and well-to-do individuals to extend a helping hand to the affected shop owners during this challenging time.
In response to the devastating incident, Hon. Abu Safwan Muhammad Tukur, Chairman of the Gombe State Tailoring Association Old Market Branch, expressed shock and grief, describing the situation as unfortunate.
He emphasised that their members had lost everything, including sewing machines and valuable merchandise, causing estimated losses that may exceed N100 million.
Abu Safwan Tukur urged the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to swiftly intervene and provide immediate assistance to the affected shop owners to enable them pick up life again.
When contacted, the Gombe State Director of the SEMA, Malam Muhammad Garba, assured the public that the government is making every effort to help those affected.
He stressed that the agency is working to provide relief materials that will alleviate the hardship faced by the affected shop owners during this difficult time.
Meanwhile, Gombe State Police Command has confirmed the fire incident. According to the Command’s PPRO, ASP Mahid Mu’azu Abubakar, in a phone conversation with this reporter on Saturday, noted that the Command received the report and has gone to see the extent of damage.
The PPRO further confirmed that it was a pure case of arson and mischief as the shops were allegedly razed down after they had been looted by yet to be identified persons.
According to him, they mostly affected were tailors and those selling tailoring materials within the section of the Old market.
Though no arrest has been made, the PPRO assured that a discreet investigation is ongoing in order to identify the criminals, apprehend and bring them to justice.
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