Mohammed Oluwatimileyin Taoheed reports,
Track News Nigeria has learnt that it was all sorrow in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State after a strange fire outbreak destroyed a famous Eke Market, in Afikpo Town at the twilight of July 12th.
An eyewitness who spoke to our Correspondent Mr. Mohammed Oluwatimileyin Taoheed told Track News Nigeria that although goods worth millions of naira including shops were destroyed by the fire, there is no loss of life at all.
When asked the cause of the inglorious outbreak, some lead traders who refused to gave their names, noted that none of them can say.
Unfortunately, the Fire Service Unit in Afikpo could not mobilise to stop the flickering inferno because its equipment were reportedly not functional but the youths stretched their hands to help.
The Executive Chairman of Afikpo North Local Government Area, Hon Barr Oby Oko Enyim arrived at the scene of the incident at about 6:35a.m on Wednesday.
Enyim sympathized with the victims and expressed confidence that as long as there was life, there is hope for the victims of the unfortunate incident.
Barr. Oby Oko Enyim who was taken round the scene of the fire disaster by the Chairman of Afikpo Market Traders Association, AMATA, Omezue Johnson Inya Oka described the incident as pathetic and promised that the Government at the Local level would ensure that basic faculties within the market was restored in no distant time.
However, Hon Lilian Ngozi Eziuloh, a lawmaker that represents Afikpo North East Constituency, Ebonyi State
House of Assembly has consoled the victims.
In her words: “I sympathize with victims of Afikpo fire outbreak that took place at Eke Market Motor Park at about 10pm on 12th July 2022. With sincere heart filled with sympathy and empathy knowing full well the consequences of this disaster on those directly affected, I pray you shall recover all you have lost in Jesus name Amen.
“To Afikpo youths who volunteered to quench the fire amidst the intensity and absence of Fire service at the time they were most needed, God will reward you here on Earth and in Heaven for your contribution in communal and selfless service to save humanity.
“Afikpo North be consoled and remember the word of God in psalm 34:18″The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit”.
