A devastating fire broke out late Tuesday night at the Jos Main Market, reducing over 500 shops to ashes and destroying goods worth millions of Naira. Thankfully, no lives were lost, according to the Market Chairman, Mustapha Ibrahim Bako, who spoke to African Drum.
Bako said the fire started around 11 p.m. but lamented that firefighters failed to respond on time, despite his efforts to alert them.
“I received information that the fire incident started at about 11pm, but can’t really tell you the cause of the fire. However, I want to let you know for sure that the incident is not as a result of electrical fault as we always make sure that the main fuse was removed before we leave the market,” he said.
Expressing disappointment at the Fire Service’s response, Bako added:
“After making a phone call informing them about the incident and they failed to come, I had to personally go to their office along Masallachi Jumma’a Street and I noticed that all their operational vehicles were grounded.
“So, I had to put a phone call to the Honourable Member Representing Jos North-North in the Plateau State House of Assembly, Adamu Aliyu, who in turn, put a call to Government House which led to the arrival of one fire fighter vehicle from Bukuru.
“However, that one vehicle could not battle the flames as the water in the truck got finished, and before they returned after refilling the vehicle, the whole market was razed down completely and this got the victims infuriated.”
Bako called on the Plateau State Government to urgently intervene by rebuilding the market and compensating affected traders.
Several victims also shared their grief, calling on the government to rescue them from complete financial ruin.
“We are delighted in the way and manner the administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang is conducting the affairs of governance.
“We are even more delighted that we were instrumental to the emergence of this administration. It is for this reason that we are calling on Governor Caleb Mutfwang to take what happened to us with high degree of consideration. Our livelihood is gone. We are pleading with the governor to come to our aid,” said Haruna Abbas, speaking on behalf of other traders including Abdullahi Alkasir, Kaneng Mike, Nakom Gotum and Hauwa Adam.
Beyond the flames, the chaos also opened the door for criminals, who reportedly looted shops not even affected by the fire, worsening the losses.
Meanwhile, the Director of the Plateau State Fire Service, Caleb Polit, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report. However, a fire service personnel who asked to remain anonymous refuted the claims made by the Market Chairman.
“It’s not true that all our vehicles are grounded. It’s also not true that we did not respond to the distress call. We did and as we arrived the scene, we were attacked by the traders as they stoned and refused us access to the scene,” the official stated.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement.
The Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) has recorded a major milestone with the introduction of In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) service provision to restore hopes of childless couples.
The milestone was recorded by a team of the hospital’s assisted reproductive health technology and others.
The Chief Consultant Gynaecologist and IVF Specialist at AKTH, Dr Ibrahim Rais, disclosed this in a video shared on the hospital’s official Facebook page.
Mr Rais said the team collected eggs from two women, while semen samples were also collected from their husbands for the next stage of the IVF procedure.
“Today marks a great milestone in the history of AKTH and the IVF service provision in the institution.
“The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, CMD, Abdulrahman Sheshe and his team has been working assiduously and today we have achieved this great milestone of the first egg collection in this institution.
“We have collected eggs from two women and also collected semen samples from their husbands. The eggs collected will be fertilised with their husbands’ sperm and we hope to achieve success.
“We are going to continue the service provision with three more patients and then we cap it up on Sunday with the last patient,” he said.
Mr Rais said commencement of the service would bring the service close to the population and restore hope among couples suffering from infertility.
“It is also important to note that starting IVF services in AKTH has been a very important development because the center will form one of points for service provision to the teeming population needing IVF services.
“It will form a centre of excellence for training in the field of Obstetric and Gynaecologist and Reproductive medicine.
“We have extracted more than a dozen eggs for now. Embryologists are working assiduously to ensure that there is fertilisation by sperm of the patients that had the procedure.
“We will go on to get more eggs that will generate more embryos and translate to potential more Nigerians,” Mr Rais said.
Similarly, the hospital in a statement on its official handle, said the milestone was achieved through the collaborative efforts of AKTH staff, specialist reproductive health experts from Jos and Abuja, and two embryologists.
It described the development as a significant step towards expanding advanced fertility services and bringing hope closer to residents.
Meanwhile, the hospital congratulated the the AKTH team for attaining the feat.
Three promising Nigerian youngsters — Raheem Moyinoluwa Salaudeen, Fawas Ayomide Adeleke and Jacob Obiora Iyida — are taking another important step in their football development after being registered for trial opportunities in the United Kingdom.
The trio, who are associated with Buruj Football Club and Buruj Sports Academy, will have the opportunity to experience football in a different environment while testing themselves against talented players in the UK.
The registration is part of Buruj’s wider commitment to creating international pathways for young Nigerian footballers and providing them with opportunities to gain exposure beyond the domestic football system.
For Raheem, Fawas and Jacob, the UK opportunity represents more than simply a football trial. It is a chance to learn, adapt and understand the demands of playing in a different football culture.
The three youngsters have continued to show commitment and determination throughout their development, and their latest opportunity provides another platform to showcase the qualities they have developed through their time in Nigeria.
Speaking about the opportunity, Raheem Salaudeen said:
“This is a big opportunity for us and we are grateful to everyone who has supported our journey. We want to go there, learn as much as possible, compete with confidence and show what Nigerian young players can do.”
Fawas Adeleke also expressed his determination to make the most of the experience:
“I see this as an opportunity to improve myself and understand a different style of football. I want to work hard, listen to the coaches and make every opportunity count. Hopefully, this will open another door for my career.”
For Jacob Obiora Iyida, the focus is equally clear — continue learning, gaining experience and taking another step towards his professional ambitions.
“I’m excited about the opportunity because playing outside Nigeria has always been one of my goals. I know there is a lot to learn, so I want to stay focused, work hard and show my best whenever I get the chance.”
Buruj Football Club and Buruj Sports Academy believe international exposure can play a significant role in the development of young footballers, allowing them to experience different coaching philosophies, tactical approaches and football cultures.
The academy’s development philosophy also places emphasis on education and personal development, ensuring that young players are prepared not only for possible professional careers but also for life beyond football.
The UK trip therefore represents another stage in a broader development pathway designed to help Nigerian youngsters build confidence, experience and international connections.
For Raheem, Fawas and Jacob, the message is simple: the opportunity has arrived, and now it is time to make it count.
From Nigeria to the United Kingdom, another chapter begins—with bigger dreams ahead.