Traders in Masaƙa, Karu local government area of Nasarawa State are counting their losses after a fire incident destroyed the market on Friday, at about 10 p.m.
In separate interviews with newsmen yesterday, several traders expressed their devastation and recounted significant losses.
A trader, Ahmed Ayuba, was overwhelmed with grief as he spoke about his losses, saying: “I do not know what to do. I am so devastated. All my goods burnt down to ashes, and there is nothing left. I returned from the market yesterday, and people had already paid for some of the goods. Not only have I lost money, but I am also in debt now.
“The Government should come to our aid,” he appealed.
Also, an electronics dealer, John Uche, lamented the chaos and theft that accompanied the fire. “I lost everything, including the money I kept in my shop. The goods in my shop were bought with money I loaned from the bank”.
“People used the opportunity to steal the goods left. It is not a good sight to behold”, he stated.
