Fire razes shops around IBB Market in Suleja

At least 11 shops were razed by fire on Wednesday night around the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Market in Suleja, Niger State. Abuja Metro gathered that the affected shops were operated by traders specialising in curtains, bedheets, and blankets.  One of the victims, Mustafa Muhammad, told our reporter that he had left his shop shortly […]

At least 11 shops were razed by fire on Wednesday night around the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Market in Suleja, Niger State.

Abuja Metro gathered that the affected shops were operated by traders specialising in curtains, bedheets, and blankets. 

One of the victims, Mustafa Muhammad, told our reporter that he had left his shop shortly after 7pm. to retrieve his phone from a charging point.

“Upon returning, I noticed that a shop owned by my neighbour was emitting smoke. I immediately sought the assistance of others to force the shop open, as the owner was not around. We discovered the interior was on fire and raised the alarm. However, the flames escalated due to the wind immediately after the door was forced open,” Muhammad explained.

Another trader, Salisu Abdullahi, noted that the fire might have been caused by a power generator. 

It is believed that the shop owner moved his generator inside and locked the door before the machine had cooled down.

Abdullahi added that in addition to the shops destroyed, the fire spread to an adjacent residential building, where three stores and three rooms were also razed.

Abuja Metro learnt that the fire was eventually brought under control about an hour later through the combined efforts of traders and local residents. 

An officer with the Fire Service in the town confirmed the incident but declined to provide further details.