A devastating fire outbreak on Thursday, January 8, 2026, has resulted in the loss of goods valued at over N200 million at the Abdulkadir Abdullahi Kure Ultra Modern Market in Minna, Niger State.
Inferno Erupts from Solar Panel
The inferno, which gutted the soft drinks store of B.Y. Ventures, began at approximately 7:30 am. Preliminary investigations point to an overheating solar panel mounted on the shop's roof as the cause of the blaze. The swift response from both the Niger State Fire Service and the Federal Fire Service was crucial in bringing the fire under control and preventing the complete destruction of the building.
Massive Inventory Lost
The General Manager of B.Y. Ventures, Faruq Mohammad, provided a grim inventory of the losses. He confirmed that the fire destroyed a massive stockpile, including 7,000 cartons of biscuits and 12,000 packets of soft drinks. Mohammad estimated the total value of the destroyed goods to exceed N200 million.
In the aftermath, he made a passionate appeal to the Niger State Government for assistance to help cushion the severe financial blow suffered by the business. He also praised the fire services for their prompt intervention, which saved the structure from total ruin, and urged them to maintain their level of responsiveness.
Officials Issue Safety Warnings
The incident has prompted strong safety warnings from state officials. The Director General of the Niger State Urban Development Board (NUDB), Abdulrahman Mohammad Chata, expressed concern over market congestion and advised traders to strictly follow regulations.
Chata specifically addressed the fire's cause, urging all traders to engage professionals for installing solar panels and electrical appliances. He also advised shop owners to always switch off electrical devices when not in use.
Echoing the call for public vigilance, the Controller of the Niger State Fire Service, Baba Alikali, and the Federal Fire Service Controller, Assistant Controller Alikali Mohammad, appealed to residents to contact fire services immediately upon noticing any fire outbreak.
In a related development, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, last week confirmed that eight people died in the Christmas Eve fire that engulfed the 25-storey GNI Building on Lagos Island. The governor, who led a minute of silence for the victims, ordered decisive safety measures, including the demolition of unsafe structures in the area. He attributed that tragedy to human error and stressed the need for stricter safety compliance.
