From Andrew Ajijah, Jos
A devastating fire razed through the popular Jos Main Market, also known as Terminus Market, in Plateau State, on Tuesday night, leaving over 500 shops in ashes. The cause of the incident is believed to be an electrical spark in one of the shops, according to Mustapha Ibrahim, Chairman of the Jos Main Market Association.
Ibrahim disclosed that the affected shops were stocked with various goods, including shoes, clothing, cosmetics, kitchen utensils, and household items. The fire, which began in the late hours of Tuesday, could not be controlled, despite efforts by fire service personnel from Jos North Local Government. Unfortunately, two of the fire trucks had faulty tires, hindering their ability to respond effectively.
Eyewitnesses reported that hoodlums took advantage of the situation, looting shops that were not directly affected by the fire before security personnel arrived. Many shop owners lamented that they received the news too late, by which time the damage had already been done.
Plateau State Commissioner of Information, Rt. Hon. Joyce Ramnap, visited the scene and appealed for calm. This is not the first time the market has been affected by fire; it was also gutted in 2001 and has not been fully rehabilitated since.
The shops that were destroyed in the recent fire were temporary wooden structures erected by the Governor Caleb Mutfwang administration in 2024 to allow traders to continue operating.
