Tina Ezin, Calabar
Over 10 shops and businesses worth millions of naira have been engulfed by fire in Ogoja Local Government Area in Northern Cross River.
Sources revealed that the incident occurred on Friday night at No. 29 Mission Road, Igoli-Ogoja.
One of the victims who owned an electrical and solar panel store, Mr. Felix Orim said he got a call at midnight and when he got there on Saturday morning, everything was burnt down.
“I just came back from Ikom yesterday (Friday) and at about midnight while I was sleeping, my phone rang and I ignored it because I was so tired – when I woke up this morning (Saturday) to call back the person, I was told my shop has been completely burnt down.
“When I got here, everything inside has been burnt. My electrical and solar shops were among those that were completely burned down by the fire. I don’t know how it started but people are saying the fire entered through the generator owned by one of the shops’ owners.
“I just stocked that shop and it is all I’ve got. Please I am begging the Government or any other person or organisation that can compensate us because the economy is not going well with us. Please, anything can go a long way. I have a family to take care of.” He cried.
“For compensation, we will work with other agencies to see what can be done.” He assured.
When contacted on phone, Hon. Emmanuel Ishabor, the Chairman of the local government council, Mr. Emmanuel Ishabor confirmed the incident.
“I have been there this morning to see for myself. We got the information last night and it is true. And the information we got was that the fire was caused by a generator set but further investigation will be done to ascertain the information.
