- Devastating Fire Incident: A recent fire incident at the Onitsha market has left traders counting their losses, with goods and property worth billions of naira destroyed.
- Traders’ Losses: Some traders reported losses ranging from N60 million to N350 million, with many claiming to have lost their entire capital.
- Call for Assistance: The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has called for immediate assistance from governments and the private sector to help traders re-establish their businesses.
- Trauma and Uncertainty: The incident has not only caused significant financial loss but also left many traders grappling with the trauma of losing their livelihood.
The Onitsha market fire has had a devastating impact on traders, with many facing significant financial losses and emotional trauma. The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has urged governments and the private sector to provide assistance to help traders recover from the disaster.
Some traders shared their heartbreaking stories, with Mrs. Chinonso Adline Nwokearu reporting a loss of N220 million and Ezeji James Kelechi losing goods and cash worth N170 million. Others, like Ogechi Sunday Ibem, lost goods worth N350 million, while Olua Ukairo reported a loss of N80 million.
The president general of COSEYL, Goodluck Ibem, lamented the incident, stating that the affected traders are facing a dire situation, having lost their livelihoods and the hard work they put into building their businesses.
