Two separate fire incidents in Bade and Karasuwa Local Government Areas of Yobe State have destroyed property worth millions of naira, affecting dozens of traders and residents who depend on the markets for their livelihoods.
The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) disclosed the incidents in a post on its official Facebook page, noting that the first fire occurred around 9:20 p.m. on March 4, 2026, at Kara Market, located opposite the Federal University Gashua.
According to the agency, the inferno destroyed large quantities of goods belonging to traders, including animal feed and firewood, which were completely reduced to ashes within a short period of time.
“The blaze consumed large quantities of animal feed and firewood, reducing traders’ inventories to ashes within hours,” SEMA said.
Although no lives were lost in the incident, the agency noted that the destruction has had serious economic consequences for traders and their families.
“While no fatalities have been reported, the economic shockwaves are deeply felt as many families depend solely on these market activities for survival,” the agency added.
In a separate development, SEMA reported that another fire outbreak occurred the following day at the Karasuwa Garun Guna cyclic market and nearby Mattafari village.
The incident, which happened at about 3:00 p.m. on March 5, caused extensive damage to shops and stalls in the market.
According to SEMA, the fire completely destroyed three permanent shops and 12 local stalls, leaving at least 61 people without their primary sources of income.
The agency said assessment teams had already been deployed to the affected communities to evaluate the scale of the damage and determine the type of assistance required.
“The State Emergency Management Agency assessment teams have already been deployed to both locations to assess the damage and recommend immediate, medium and long-term solutions,” the statement said.
SEMA also expressed concern over the increasing number of fire outbreaks recorded across the state in recent times.
It noted that such incidents often occur unexpectedly, leaving residents unprepared and leading to the destruction of homes, businesses and other critical property.
The agency added that the recurring disasters have continued to worsen the hardship faced by vulnerable households in the state.
