ABUJA — Livelihoods were threatened and property worth millions of naira was reduced to ashes in the early hours of Wednesday, December 3, 2025, following a fire outbreak at the popular Jabi wood market in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The inferno, which reportedly began at dawn, sent plumes of thick black smoke into the Abuja skyline. Panic ensued as residents and shop owners rushed to the scene, frantically attempting to salvage finished wood products, heavy equipment, and building materials from the encroaching flames.
Emergency response teams were quick to the scene. Personnel from both the Federal Fire Service and the FCT Fire Service launched a coordinated effort to battle the blaze. Their swift intervention was credited with preventing the fire from spreading further and eventually bringing the situation under control.
An official from the FCT Fire Service confirmed that, fortunately, no human casualties had been recorded as of the time of this report.
The official noted that the site has been secured and a thorough investigation is underway to pinpoint the exact cause of the outbreak.
For the market’s traders, relief that no lives were lost has been overshadowed by economic despair. Many stood by the charred remains of their stalls, lamenting the destruction of their inventory.
“We are calling on the government to come to our aid,” one affected trader said. “Our equipment and finished goods are gone. We need urgent assistance to rebuild our lives.”
Authorities have assured the victims that a detailed assessment of the damage will be conducted immediately. In the interim, market operators have been urged to strictly adhere to fire safety guidelines to avert future tragedies.
