Fire destroys 21 shops at Abuja furniture market; traders report N500M losses

A fire broke out at the Kugbo Furniture Market in Abuja on Friday, October 2, 2026, at approximately 11:15 am, destroying 21 shops and a vehicle. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the incident after receiving a distress call at its Abuja Operations Office Emergency Response and Ambulance Bay. The market, located along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, primarily houses traders dealing in wood, foam, boards, and furniture accessories. No casualties were reported during the incident.

According to eyewitness accounts, the fire started following an electrical spark, with one witness linking the outbreak to electricity restoration by AEDC (Abuja Electricity Distribution Company). Traders at the scene attempted to extinguish the blaze and salvage belongings, but the fire spread rapidly through the market sections before professional firefighters arrived. Emergency responders, including the Federal Fire Service and NEMA personnel, were activated immediately and worked to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to adjoining structures. Emergency operations concluded at approximately 1:40 pm, with responders successfully dampening the affected area to prevent secondary outbreaks. Some valuable items were recovered from affected shops during the response.

Trades reported losses exceeding N500 million, with the fire consuming furniture, equipment, and goods before being fully contained. Godswill Ndukwe, Chairman of the Kugbo Wood Machinist Association, confirmed the incident and noted that the fire started before most traders arrived to open their shops. While an eyewitness account linked the outbreak to an electrical spark, the exact cause remains under investigation by relevant authorities. Ndukwe appealed to the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for intervention, citing repeated fire incidents at the market and a pattern of unfulfilled government promises regarding preventive measures.

NEMA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting affected communities and coordinating emergency response operations with relevant stakeholders including the Federal Fire Service. The agency stated it would continue collaborative efforts to mitigate the impact of such emergencies in the future.