Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has commended firefighters, security agencies and youths in Lokoja for their swift response to a fire outbreak at PEELINKS Electronics Limited, which reportedly destroyed goods worth hundreds of millions of naira.
The governor’s commendation was conveyed by his deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu, who visited the electronics mall on Thursday to assess the extent of the damage.
Salifu said he informed the governor of the incident shortly after receiving news of the fire outbreak on Wednesday evening, adding that Ododo subsequently directed him to visit the scene and assess the situation.
He praised personnel of the fire service, security agencies and youths in Lokoja for their prompt intervention, particularly their efforts to salvage goods from the burning building.
According to him, their timely response helped to minimise the impact of the incident and prevent further destruction.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PEELINKS Electronics Limited, Mr Peter Onujeme, said he received a distress call from a staff member at about 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, informing him that the roof of the mall was on fire.
Onujeme suspected that a power surge might have triggered the incident, explaining that electricity supply had been fluctuating before the fire broke out.
He said the exact value of the goods destroyed was yet to be ascertained but estimated the losses at hundreds of millions of naira.
The business executive commended the Lokoja Fire Service for its swift response, noting that the intervention helped prevent the fire from causing more extensive damage.
He also expressed appreciation to the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and youths who participated in the rescue efforts.
Onujeme particularly acknowledged the young people who risked their safety to enter the burning building and evacuate goods, describing their intervention as significant in the effort to reduce the losses.
He further thanked the Kogi State Government for its concern and support, saying the deputy governor’s visit provided reassurance that the business was not alone in the aftermath of the incident.
PEELINKS Electronics Limited is a major electronics retailer in Lokoja and a notable shopping destination for electronics in North-Central Nigeria.
The cause of the fire and the full extent of the damage had yet to be officially established as of the time of the visit.
