Kugbo Market Fire Destroys Goods Worth N500m, Renewing Safety Concerns
Traders at Abuja’s Kugbo Furniture Market are facing fresh financial losses after a fire destroyed shops and goods estimated at more than N500 million, renewing concerns over repeated fire incidents in the busy trading area.
The fire broke out early Friday before many traders arrived, affecting shops stocked with wood, foam, furniture accessories and locally and imported boards. The affected materials are highly combustible, leaving several businesses with little or nothing after the blaze.
The chairman of the Kugbo Wood Machinist Association, Godswill Ndukwe, said the cause of the fire had not been established. He also said the latest incident was part of a pattern of fires that traders have experienced at the market over time.
The traders are now calling on the Abuja Municipal Area Council and the Federal Capital Territory Administration to take stronger preventive measures. They say previous fire incidents have been followed by promises of intervention, but recurring outbreaks suggest that significant safety gaps remain.
For traders whose livelihoods depend on the market, the latest destruction goes beyond damaged shops. It means lost stock, disrupted businesses and potentially months of financial recovery. The absence of an immediate official response from the FCT Fire Service and other relevant agencies also leaves questions about what caused the outbreak and whether adequate measures are in place to prevent another one.
