A tragic fire incident in Suleja, Niger State, has left a popular hotel in ruins and its owner in a state of deep despair, leading to a desperate suicide attempt that was narrowly averted by vigilant neighbours.
Inferno Consumes Popular "Car Wash Hotel"
The fire broke out on Sunday afternoon, December 21, at the Abagbo Garden and Hotel, a well-known establishment in the Kwankwashi area of Suleja often referred to as the "car wash hotel." According to eyewitness accounts, the blaze originated from one of the hotel's generating sets before rapidly spreading and engulfing the entire building.
Despite immediate and spirited efforts to contain the flames, the fire proved uncontrollable. Lodgers, neighbours, and even staff from the nearby A.A. Rano filling station who arrived with fire extinguishers could not stop the inferno. The fire raged on, leaving almost nothing to salvage from the multi-million-naira property.
Owner's Despair Leads to Suicide Attempt
The director of the hotel, Mr. Sunday Agbo, an indigene of Benue State, watched helplessly as his lifetime investment was consumed by flames. Overwhelmed by the scale of the loss, Mr. Agbo reportedly attempted to flee the scene. However, people present quickly suspected his intent was to harm himself and immediately chased, caught, and held him down, preventing a tragic outcome.
After being restrained, the distraught businessman was taken away from the fire scene to his residence, where family and friends gathered to console him. Speaking after regaining some composure, Agbo revealed the full extent of his devastation. "I have lost everything I had laboured for over 20 years," he lamented, questioning, "What else do you want me to be doing in this life?"
Massive Financial Losses and an Uncertain Future
The financial toll of the disaster is staggering. It was revealed that Mr. Agbo had recently obtained a loan exceeding ₦10 million specifically for the renovation of the hotel's rooms. Furthermore, the tragedy struck just one day after he took delivery of over 200 cartons of beer, for which he had not yet made payment.
Facing these colossal debts on top of the total destruction of his business, the hotel owner expressed profound hopelessness. "I don't know how I will come out of this; I am finished. I don't know where to start from because I have invested everything into this hotel," he was quoted as saying. The incident highlights the fragile nature of business investments and the profound personal impact such disasters can have, underscoring the critical importance of community intervention during moments of extreme crisis.
