Goods and valuables worth hundreds of millions were on Thursday night destroyed by inferno which gutted over 600 shops at the old market in Bida in Niger state
An eye witness reports that the fire, which started at about 8.30 said firemen from the Bida Fire Service and Federal Polytechnic Fire Service could not access the burnt section of the market as some shops were still in flames.
The cause of the fire could not be ascertained as at the time of this report.
Goods destroyed includes clothes, motorcycles, building materials, bags of maize, beans, rice, palm oil and poultry products.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Dibal Yakadi, confirmed the incidence.
“My Area Commander is leading police personnel deployed to maintain security of lives and property in the market,’’ Yakadi said.
He explained that the police were there to prevent miscreants from stealing and ensure law and order in the market.
