RismadarVoice Reporters, May 14, 2026
Traders at the popular Mechanic Village along Olusegun Obasanjo Way, also known as Abak Road in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, are counting heavy losses after a late-night fire outbreak destroyed goods and property estimated at over N200 million.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday night, razed at least 12 shops within the bustling spare parts market, leaving several business owners devastated and appealing for urgent government intervention.
Mechanic Village serves as a major hub for automobile and motorcycle spare parts in Uyo and attracts traders and customers from different parts of the state and beyond.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire started around 9:30 p.m., several hours after traders had closed for the day and returned home.
Many shop owners reportedly received frantic phone calls informing them that their shops were on fire, prompting them to rush back to the market.
On arrival, they were met with thick smoke and intense flames that had already engulfed several shops.
Witnesses said officials of the Federal Fire Service responded to distress calls and later reinforced operations with additional fire trucks alongside personnel from the Akwa Ibom State Fire Service to contain the inferno.
Although firefighters eventually brought the situation under control, multiple shops and goods worth millions of naira had already been destroyed.
Some traders suspected that the fire may have originated from debris allegedly set ablaze near one of the shops, although the exact cause of the incident has not been officially confirmed.
One of the victims, Remigus Chibata, said he lost goods worth about N25 million in the fire.
Chibata, who described the incident as heartbreaking, appealed to the Akwa Ibom State Government for assistance, noting that he had recently restocked his shop before the disaster occurred.
Another victim, Godswill Anieuwa, said he lost goods valued at more than N35 million, including newly purchased items that had not yet been opened.
Anieuwa, who identified himself as an orphan, emotionally appealed to Governor Umo Eno and other well-meaning Nigerians for support, saying the fire had wiped out his only source of livelihood.
Similarly, trader Uchendu Syriacus disclosed that he lost goods worth over N12 million, much of which he purchased through bank loans and credit facilities.
He urged authorities to provide relief for affected traders, many of whom are now struggling with debts and financial uncertainty.
Another shop owner, Francis Onuh, said he managed to salvage a few items before the fire consumed his shop and goods estimated at N20 million.
Meanwhile, Uchenna Umeofia commended firefighters for their swift intervention, noting that the damage could have been far worse without their timely response.
Speaking on behalf of the Mechanic Village Caretaker Committee, Secretary Chukwuemeka Obidike described the incident as tragic and appealed for government assistance for affected traders.
Also reacting, the Chairman of the Igbo Community in the market, Christopher Ejike, praised emergency responders for arriving quickly and helping to prevent the fire from spreading further.
As of the time of filing this report, affected traders and residents were still gathered around the market premises discussing the incident and assessing the scale of destruction left behind by the inferno.
