Some sections of Biu Central Market were razed while the voting exercise was on. Our correspondent saw traders, who did not open because of elections, rushing to the scene as smoke billowed into the sky.
Vice chairman of Civilian JTF in Biu, Aliyu Isa, said they were alerted of the outbreak around 9:00 am. He said it took the effort of good Samaritans and the ire service to subdue the inferno. “It has actually disrupted elections in some parts of the town but people later returned to cast their votes,” he said.
Isa said the fire primarily consumed the market section where timbers are sold. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained as investigations are ongoing. Meanwhile, the governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to immediately provide relief materials to the affected traders.