Fire destroys shops worth nearly N5m in Maiduguri’s Damboa Motor Park

A devastating fire broke out in the early hours of Wednesday at Damboa Motor Park in Maiduguri, Borno State, leaving six shops in ruins and destroying goods and property estimated at over ₦4.95 million.

The blaze, which started around 4:00 a.m., swept through several small businesses, including a POS service center, barbershop, cosmetics outlet, shoe cobbler’s stand, and a motor spare parts store.

While no lives were lost, the financial losses have left affected traders counting their woes. Many of the victims lamented that they had stocked up goods in anticipation of increased patronage during the week, only for everything to be lost in the flames.

According to a post on Thursday by security analyst Zagazola Makama on X, “Those affected were identified as Nura Ahmad (POS operator), Yakubu Musa (barber), Usman Salisu (shoe cobbler), Musa Hamza (cosmetics dealer), and Ibrahim Ali (motor spare parts seller).”

Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was caused by a faulty electrical connection.

Operatives of the Federal and State Fire Services responded swiftly and managed to extinguish the flames, while police personnel were deployed to the scene to prevent possible looting and maintain order.

Authorities have since commenced further investigation into the incident.