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Farouq consoles traders, victims of Onitsha drug market fire disaster
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
Following the recent fire outbreak at the Onitsha Ogbo Ogwu drug market in Anambra State , Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development , Sadiya Umar Farouq has sympathized with traders and victims of the inferno which reportedly destroyed items worth millions of naira.
The market was gutted by fire on Tuesday, following an explosion at the Chemical/Surgical Line of the market.
Drugs, pharmaceuticals, and other items worth millions of naira were said to be destroyed, while several people were also said to have suffered various degrees of burns.
In a statement issued Nneka Ikem Anibeze,SA MEDIA to the minister, she expressed sympathy to the people and government of Anambra state over the incident which she described as disturbing.
“We are deeply disturbed by the destruction of merchandise worth millions of Naira by a fire incident at the Onitsha Drug Market popularly known as Ogbo Ogwu. “
We sympathize with the government of Anambra state and victims of the inferno, especially the injured. This disaster will definitely affect the GDP of not only the state but the nation’s economy. This is really unfortunate, the minister said.
November 10, 2022
Four die, 12 injured in Onitsha market blast
Four persons were feared dead while 12 others were injured following a suspected bomb explosion at a chemical market in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Shops and goods worth over N850 million were reportedly destroyed in the fire which resulted from the explosion.
The incident, which occurred around 12.45pm reportedly led to a stampede among the traders.
One of the traders, Nweke Uchenna, said: “We were at our shops when we heard a loud noise like a bomb blast and we saw thick smoke from some shops upstairs and everyone started running for safety.
“As some others shouted for help, we saw people carrying bodies from those shops on fire and some were badly burnt while some seemed to have suffocated from the smoke.
“We don’t know how much has been lost to the fire but it can be estimated around N850 million because the goods are strong chemical products.”
Chairman, Onitsha South Local Government Area, Mr Emeka Orji, contacted state Fire Service Chief, Martin Agbili who deployed his men that battled the fire in collaboration with their counterparts from Asaba, Delta State.
November 9, 2022
Three die in Onitsha market building collapse
Three persons were feared dead in a building collapse in Ochanja Central Market, Onitsha, Anambra State.
The structure, a two-storey building, reportedly collapsed around 5:45pm on Saturday.
Eye witnesses blamed the incident on further development on the already weak structure without necessary reinforcement.
A group of traders at the market had on Friday, protested plans by leadership of the market to erect additional structures on the existing old and weak buildings in the market.
The traders, who took their protest to Awka the State capital, appealed to Governor Willie Obiano to prevail on the market leadership to forestall any calamity.
One of the traders, who preferred anonymity, said the yet to be identified deceased were working at the site when the incident happened.
Attempts to speak with the market leaders were unfruitful as the traders were seen scampering for safety and trying to salvage their goods so as to escape being trapped.
February 7, 2022
Shops razed as petrol tanker explodes in Onitsha
It was lamentation galore yesterday as fire wreaked havoc in Onitsha, the commercial nerve of Anambra State. No fewer than 40 shops were reportedly razed at a section of the popular Relief Market, destroying several goods and vehicles worth several millions of naira.
The fire incident, caused by a fallen tanker bearing substances suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) along Obodo-Ukwu road, was the second in the last five days. That section of the road was said to be very deplorable.
Earlier in the week, over 300 corpses were burnt to ashes in a fire incident at the mortuary section of the General Hospital, Onitsha. The incident was closely followed by another inferno at the foodstuff market in Oko, Orumba North local council of the state.
Yesterday’s incident, which occurred about 9.00am, was reportedly caused by loss of control of the vehicle by the driver at a bad portion of the road. He was said to have rammed into a building, spilling its contents, which sparked the fire.
Lamenting the incident, one of the affected traders, Mrs Ngozi Orji, told The Guardian that her goods were “completely razed”, adding: “I was actually on my way when I received a call from someone that there was fire in the market.
“Initially, I thought it was a joke because not all the traders should be in the market by that time, but when I perceived the tick smoke coming from that end of the market, I knew it was true. I could not access my shop because of the thick smoke. This is terrible. This is setting me backwards. I just opened for business last week after the Christmas and New Year celebrations. The truth is that business has not been booming since the beginning of this year. Now this one has happened.”
Another trader, who said she sells tomatoes, onions and pepper in the market, Madam Ijeoma said: “My brother, I am a bit lucky. I said I would restock today since I sold off everything two days ago. This morning, as I was preparing to go to the market, I heard that the entire place was on fire. I came around only to discover that everything had gone. God should have mercy on Anambra State this year.
“I don’t know why it is a story of fire every day. Some days ago, it was a mortuary. The other day, it was another market somewhere. Today, it is here. Nobody can tell the next market. Government should come to our rescue and build a fire station in the markets to save us the trouble of running from place to place anytime there is fire outbreak.”
It was gathered that the traders, on noticing the incident, sought help from the Anambra State Fire Service. The assistance was said to have come late as a greater portion of the market had been consumed by the inferno before the arrival of the fire fighters.
The Anambra State Police Command spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident, said the petrol tanker was carrying fuel to Obodo-Ukwu when the accident occurred.
“Information reveals that the cause of the fire is as a result of a tanker carrying fuel by Obodo-Ukwu junction along Onitsha river, Owerri road that fell.
“The situation is under control and is closely monitored. The Police and Fire Service are currently on ground there,” Ikenga said.
January 29, 2022
Awka, Onitsha, others shut down as Anambra residents comply with IPOB’s Sit-At-Home order
Major and minor cities in Anambra State, including Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Ekwulobia and others were on Monday totally shut down in compliance with the directive of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The group had called for a shutdown of businesses in southeast states every Monday until its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is in the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS) is released.
There had been confusion yesterday as to whether the exercise would hold or not. This was because of a counter directive by Kanu’s brother who said the exercise had been called off to allow students sitting for the NECO examination to do so.
However, spokesperson of the group, Emma Powerful, quickly refuted the claim, saying the order was sacrosanct.
Monday’s sit-at-home registered heavy compliance in Anambra, with banks, schools, markets, shops, eateries and other businesses deserted.
Our correspondent who moved around to monitor the level of compliance found that even although markets were open, traders refused to resume business.
The Anambra State Government had earlier threatened to withhold August salaries of workers who failed to resume for duties on Monday.
At the state secretariat complex, it was also observed that most workers came to work because of the order but they left almost immediately after signing the attendance register.
Motor parks were also deserted as motorists and passengers alike stayed away, leaving streets deserted.
In Nnewi, a source confirmed that two persons were killed very early in the morning at Izuchukwu junction for daring to come out. Their identities and that of their attackers were however not revealed.
Reports had it that police patrol vehicles were on every major street, sitting civilly in their vehicles, providing protection for the few people that were courageous enough to leave their houses.
A market leader at Eke Awka market, who did not disclose his name said: “The leadership of the market did its best by opening the market, but traders refused to come.
“You can see that some of the traders opened, but there are no customers. I think it is rather out of fear that people did not come to the market, and not because they want to comply with IPOB directive.”
August 9, 2021
One dies, 14 injured in multiple auto crash in Onitsha
A middle-aged man lost his life while many others sustained various degrees of injuries in fatal multiple crashes that occurred in the popular Upper Iweka area of Onitsha, Anambra state on Tuesday, July 27.
The crash, which occurred on Tuesday evening, involved two Mercedes trucks and Mitsubishi L300 bus with 15 persons on board.
Confirming the incident, the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Adeoye Irelewuyi, attributed the accident to overspeeding and loss of control. He said the body of the deceased had been deposited at the morgue after being confirmed dead by the doctor.
“A multiple road traffic crash happened on 27th July, 2021 at about 1425hrs by TRACAS Upper Iweka.
The crash was between unidentified driver of a Mercedes Truck 911 with registration number NEN336YX and unidentified driver of Mercedes 911 Tipper with registration number ACA171XU another unidentified driver of a Mitsubishi L300 Bus with registration number GDD 547ZP.
Fifteen persons were involved in the crash comprising 10 Male adults 5 female adults. 1 male adult and I female adult sustained varying degrees of injury and were taken to undisclosed hospital by a good Samaritan.
While a yet to be identified male adult was taken to Toronto hospital by FRSC rescue team from Upper Iweka Outpost, and he was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty and his body deposited at the Morgue.”
July 28, 2021
Driver Attempting To Escape Tax Force Kills Four Female Hawkers In Onitsha
A truck driver has been arrested in Anambra state for allegedly killing four female hawkers at Upper Iweka flyover in Onitsha, the commercial hub of the state Yesterday February 24, NaijaCover Reports.
The truck driver was said to be running from revenue collectors in the area when he suddenly lost control and crushed the deceased persons.
Confirming the incident to newsmen, the Sector Commander Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Andrew Kumapayi said the driver of the vehicle has been handed over to the police for further investigation while the bodies of the deceased persons have been deposited in the morgue.
“At 0730hrs this morning 24th February 2021 at Upper Iweka flyover, four female pedestrians were crushed to death by a blue M/Benz truck with registration number XF 259 UNZ driven by an un identified driver.
Eyewitnesses report reaching us indicates that the truck driver had a disagreement with the revenue collectors at Upper Iweka flyover and the truck rolled back and crushed the four female hawkers along the road.
Also involved was the driver and his motor boy who came out without injury.
FRSC rescue team, Nigeria Army and Nigeria Police rescue the victims to Toronto hospital and deposited at the hospital morgue after Doctors confirmation.”Kumapayi said
February 25, 2021