Fire guts Lokoja electronics mall, goods worth hundreds of millions lost
- Fire razed the upper floor of PEELINKS Electronics Limited on Murtala Mohammed Way in Lokoja on Wednesday evening.
- The owner, Peter Onujeme, suspects a power surge and puts losses in the hundreds of millions of naira.
- Kogi Deputy Governor Joel Salifu visited the scene and praised firefighters, security agencies and youths.
A fire has destroyed the upper floor of PEELINKS Electronics Limited, one of Lokoja's biggest electronics malls, on Murtala Mohammed Way in the Kogi State capital. Goods worth hundreds of millions of naira were lost in the Wednesday evening blaze, according to the company's managing director and chief executive, Mr Peter Onujeme.
Onujeme said staff called him at about 6:30 p.m. to report that the roof was on fire. He suspects a power surge, noting that electricity supply in the area had been going on and off before the incident. The exact value of the destroyed goods is not yet known.
This is the second fire at the complex in six years. The first, in 2020, started around 11 p.m. on a Friday and spread into the early hours of Saturday, razing the building. This time, eyewitnesses said sympathisers, firefighters and security operatives stopped the flames from reaching the lower floor, which could have made the losses far worse.
Government visits, business to resume
Governor Ahmed Ododo was briefed shortly after the fire broke out and directed his deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu, to assess the damage. Salifu visited the mall on Thursday and praised the fire service, the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Lokoja youths for their quick response, saying their efforts helped save some goods.
Onujeme thanked the responders and residents who entered the burning building to rescue goods. In a statement, the company said it was moved by the show of support and sent prayers to those injured during the rescue. It also asked the public to avoid spreading unverified information about the incident.
Other officials who visited included the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashade Arike Ayoade, and commissioners for Special Duties and Environment, Hon. Sunday Faleke and Hon. Joseph Oluwasegun Stephen.
The company said repair work on the damaged roof is ongoing and business will resume at the mall on Saturday. For shoppers in Lokoja and nearby towns who rely on the complex for electronics, that means a short disruption rather than a permanent closure.
For traders, the fire is a reminder of how quickly unstable power can turn into a costly disaster. The cause has not been confirmed by any authority; Onujeme's power surge explanation is his own suspicion.
What happens next: The company says it will reopen on Saturday while roof repairs continue. The full cost of the damage is still being worked out.
