Traders Count Losses, As Another Fire Ravage Taraba Neighborhood Market

Traders at the neighborhood market at Mile 6 in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital are counting losses running into millions of naira, following a late evening inferno that razed a block of shops housing various businesses.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday, March 1st, 2026, at the about 9 pm spared no goods.

A resident of the Mile Six, Mr. Yakubu Sunday, who witnessed the incident said the cause of the fire remains unknown, but noted that the flames spread rapidly, making it difficult to salvage goods or contain the blaze.

“We were chatting with friends close to the main road when we heard shouts of ‘fire” repeatedly. By the time we got there, the entire building was already engulfed, because of the breeze, the flames intensified quickly, making it almost impossible to rescue anything or control the fire,” he recounted.

According to him, neighbours and other traders made frantic efforts to put out the fire using water, sand, and other available materials, but their efforts proved futile.

“All the shops are burnt with their goods inside. Since it was Sunday, most traders had closed for the day and had to rush from their homes only to witness the destruction,” he added.

One of the affected traders, Mr. Moses Baba, who operates a laundry service in the complex, lamented that he lost property worth millions of naira in the incident.

“I was at home with my family late in the evening when I received a distress call to rush to my shop. On arrival, I watched helplessly as my shop was completely burnt in flames.

“As we speak, customers’ clothes that were ready for delivery have all been destroyed. Some of them came early this morning to pick up their clothes, only to discover that the shop no longer exists.

“We are talking about clothes worth millions of naira, not to mention my washing machines, electric irons, pressing tables, and several other items. I honestly do not know where to begin,” he lamented.

Our correspondent reports that fire outbreaks have become increasingly frequent in Jalingo metropolis in recent months.

This explained Governor Agbu Kefas’ recently- constituted a committee to investigate the recurring incidents of fire outbreak and recommend lasting solutions.

According to available records, more than 20 fire incidents have been reported in Jalingo between January to date, which raised the concerns among residents and business owners.