A devastating midnight fire has gutted the Katsina-Ala Main Market in Benue State, leaving hundreds of traders counting their losses after goods worth millions of naira were consumed by flames. The inferno, which started around 12:15 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, raged for nearly four hours before it was eventually subdued by firefighters and residents who battled through thick smoke and chaos to save what little remained.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as “a nightmare come alive,” saying the fire broke out from the electronics section before spreading rapidly to other parts of the market due to the tightly packed stalls and highly flammable materials such as fabrics, plastics, and fuel containers stored nearby. Some traders who rushed to the scene were seen wailing helplessly as their life’s investments went up in flames, with several collapsing from shock and exhaustion.
By the time firefighters from the Benue State Fire Service and local volunteers contained the blaze around 4 a.m., more than 200 shops had been completely razed. According to preliminary assessments, items lost included electronics, clothing, foodstuff, and building materials. Traders say the damage could exceed ₦500 million, making it one of the worst market fires recorded in Benue this year.
Authorities have since cordoned off the affected sections of the market while investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the fire. Early indications point to an electrical fault, though some traders allege the blaze may have been triggered by a generator explosion. The State Fire Service confirmed that no lives were lost but noted that the extent of damage was “massive and heartbreaking.”
Katsina-Ala Local Government Chairman, Hon. Jacob Iorver, who visited the scene on Saturday morning, expressed deep sympathy to affected traders and promised government support. “This is a heavy blow to our people and the local economy,” he said. “We are working closely with the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) to provide relief and help victims rebuild their businesses as quickly as possible.”
Some victims who spoke to journalists lamented the loss of their livelihoods, calling on both state and federal authorities for urgent assistance. One trader, Mrs. Victoria Tyoga, who sold fabrics, said she lost goods worth over ₦8 million. “I have nothing left. Everything I worked for went down in that fire,” she said tearfully.
This incident marks the third major market fire in Benue State this year, following similar outbreaks at Wadata Market in Makurdi and Zaki Biam Yam Market in June and September, respectively. Security agencies have been directed to intensify night patrols around major markets to prevent recurrence, as the state grapples with growing concerns over poor electrical safety and inadequate fire response systems.
