JUST IN: Millions lost as fire engulfs Jos terminus market

A massive fire outbreak on Wednesday April 30, 2025, gutted parts of the popular Jos Terminus Market in Plateau State, destroying goods and property worth millions of naira.

Security analyst, Zagazola Makama, confirmed the incident via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, describing the fire as extensive and destructive.

“The fire outbreak in Jos, the Plateau State capital, has destroyed some parts of the popular Jos commercial Terminus Market,” he wrote.

He added that “goods and properties worth millions of naira were burnt in the fire, which has since been brought under control.”

According to reports, the blaze, which raged for hours before firefighters arrived, left traders devastated as they watched their investments go up in flames.

As at the time of filing this report, the exact cause of the inferno was yet to be determined.

Eyewitnesses said the fire started in the early hours, rapidly spreading across several stalls packed with goods.

Officials of the Plateau State Fire Service said they received a distress call but arrived late due to traffic and poor access roads.

Firefighters, with the help of traders and volunteers, battled the flames using water tanks and extinguishers.

Despite their efforts, several sections of the market were completely razed before the fire was finally subdued.

Traders dealing in electronics, textiles, provisions, and building materials were among the hardest hit by the disaster.

Mrs. Grace Iortyer, a trader, lamented the loss of her shop stocked with fabrics worth over N5 million.

She said: “I locked my shop around 6 p.m. yesterday. This morning, I met it in ashes. Everything is gone.”

Another trader, Mr. Musa Bala, said he lost electrical appliances worth over N8 million to the fire.

He appealed to the Plateau State Government to urgently provide relief to affected business owners.

“We need help to restart our lives. This market is our only source of income,” he said.

Officials from the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) visited the scene to assess the level of damage.

SEMA Director, Mrs. Roseline Bala, assured traders that the government would provide emergency relief and support rebuilding efforts.

She said: “We have commenced data collection. A full report will be submitted to the governor for action.”

Governor Caleb Mutfwang, reacting to the incident, expressed deep sympathy with the affected traders and families.

He promised swift intervention and a full investigation into the cause of the fire.

“We will not leave our people to suffer. Support will be provided immediately,” the governor stated.

This latest fire incident is not the first at the Jos Terminus Market, which has witnessed several similar occurrences in past years.

Market leaders have now called for the installation of fire safety equipment and improved emergency response in all sections.

They urged the state government to establish a functional fire station close to the market to prevent future disasters.

As cleanup continues, traders are left counting their losses while hoping for urgent government action and long-term solutions.

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