Fire guts electronics mall in Kogi

One of Lokoja’s most popular electronics malls, PEELINKS Electronics Limited, was gutted by fire on Wednesday evening, destroying goods worth hundreds of millions of naira in a suspected power surge.

According to an eyewitness, the fire started at about 6:30 p.m. on the top floor of the building.

The top floor was completely burnt down as officers of the Federal Fire Service battled to extinguish the blaze.

Meanwhile, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, has commended firefighters, security agencies and youths in Lokoja for their swift response to the fire outbreak at PEELINKS Electronics Limited, which reportedly destroyed goods worth hundreds of millions of naira.

The governor, who directed his deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu, to assess the damage, was briefed on the incident shortly after the fire broke out on Wednesday evening.

Salifu disclosed this on Thursday during a visit to the electronics mall, where he inspected the affected premises and sympathised with the management over the losses.

He said he promptly informed the governor after receiving news of the incident, prompting Ododo to direct him to visit the scene and assess the situation firsthand.

The deputy governor praised the Nigeria Fire Service, security agencies and youths in Lokoja for their prompt intervention, noting that their efforts helped salvage some goods and minimise the impact of the disaster.

Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PEELINKS Electronics Limited, Mr Peter Onujeme, said he received a call from a staff member at about 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday informing him that the roof of the mall was on fire.

Onujeme suspected that a power surge might have triggered the incident, explaining that electricity supply to the premises had been fluctuating before the outbreak.

He said the full value of the destroyed goods was yet to be determined but estimated the losses at hundreds of millions of naira.

The managing director commended the Lokoja Fire Service for its prompt response, saying its intervention helped prevent the fire from causing more extensive damage.

He also expressed appreciation to the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and youths in the state capital for their contributions to the emergency response.

Onujeme particularly acknowledged the youths who reportedly risked their lives to enter the burning building and rescue goods.

He further thanked the Kogi State Government for its concern and support, noting that the deputy governor’s visit provided reassurance to the management during the difficult period.

PEELINKS Electronics Limited is one of Lokoja’s major electronics outlets and a prominent destination for electronics shopping in North-Central Nigeria.