The Digest:
A devastating fire gutted the electronics section of Ikotun Market in Lagos in the early hours of New Year's Day, destroying property estimated at billions of naira. Eyewitness footage shows thick smoke billowing as firefighters reportedly struggled with water shortages, while authorities have yet to issue an official statement or casualty figures.
Key Points:
- The blaze erupted at the market's electronic plaza around 12:05 a.m. on January 1, 2026.
- Early reports suggest many business owners were still away for the Christmas holidays.
- Properties worth billions of naira were reportedly lost in the inferno.
- Firefighting efforts were hampered by apparent water supply issues.
- No casualties have been confirmed by official sources.
- The fire follows the deadly Christmas Eve inferno at Balogun Market, which claimed six lives.
- Growing public frustration targets perceived weak fire services and poor safety enforcement in Lagos markets.
Sources: Social media reports from Ikotun, Lagos
