By Edima Frank
Ikang Market, the biggest grocery market in Bakassi local government of Cross River State was gutted by fire in the early hours of this morning.
CrossRiverWatch gathered that the fire which began at about 2:30am this morning (Monday), consumed a huge section of the market.
Different respondents adduced different reason for the inferno which took most of the traders unaware. While some of the traders said the market was set on fire by an unknown source, others said it is “jazz” (magic), yet some others said it was due to improper electricity connections in the market.
Our correspondent reports that some young men in the community tried their very best to control the fire to no avail, while it took about two hours for the fire subside with no help coming from any government agency.
It could be recalled that in November 2014, the same incident happened in the market and the fire service, though were informed, did not show up to help contain the fire.
The local government Chairman, Edisua Usang Iso, had promised to compensate those affected which has yet to happen. Now, within 6 months, another one fire incident has occurred in the same market. Unfortunately it affected the same spot which was burnt off last year November.
The community residents unanimously called on government to provide a fire service station close to the local government.
No official was immediately available to make comments at the time of the incident.
The Ikang market is the biggest in Bakassi and is the main market for fish and crayfish because of its proximity to the river.