Traders affected by the June 26 midnight fire at Obudu Market in Cross River State have appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for immediate assistance, following the destruction of shops and goods valued at millions of naira.
The fire, which gutted shops numbered 12F to 17F along Calabar Road by Cyclist Park in Obudu Local Government Area, has left many business owners devastated, with several saying they have lost their only source of livelihood.
One of the victims, Mr. Njoku Nnanyere Nicodemus, estimated his losses at about ₦38 million, attributing the incident to an electrical surge after power was restored during the night.
According to him, the fire reportedly started from an electric pole before spreading rapidly into nearby shops. He explained that a passerby first noticed the blaze and alerted traders, adding that he sustained injuries while trying to salvage his goods. His destroyed inventory included footwear, clothing, wigs, jeans, T-shirts, boots, and other merchandise.
Another affected trader, Mr. Emmanuel Ukwayi, said he lost goods worth more than ₦15 million, describing the financial setback as overwhelming.
The traders expressed disappointment that, nearly three weeks after the incident, they have yet to receive any form of assistance from SEMA, NEMA, or the Cross River State Government.
They appealed to the relevant authorities to provide emergency relief, stressing that disaster management agencies exist to support citizens during times of crisis. While expressing gratitude that no lives were lost in the incident, they urged the government and humanitarian agencies to come to their aid and help them rebuild their businesses.
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