A devastating late-night fire on Tuesday swept through a significant portion of the iconic Jos Main Market, leading to extensive destruction of shops and merchandise valued at millions of naira.
Inferno Erupts at Commercial Nerve Centre
The blaze, which eyewitnesses reported started around 9:00 pm on Tuesday, December 24, 2025, sent traders and residents into a state of panic. The market, popularly called Terminus Market, serves as the bustling commercial hub of Plateau State, attracting merchants from across the region.
Mr. Mangna Yusuf Wamyil, the General Manager of the Jos Main Market Authority, confirmed that operatives from the Plateau State Fire Service responded swiftly to the emergency call. Their prompt action was crucial in containing the flames and preventing them from spreading to other sections of the vast market complex.
"Men of the fire service are on the ground and have put out the fire," Wamyil stated. He added, "At the time of this incident, we cannot ascertain the exact cause of the fire or the extent of the damage."
History Repeats: A Market Plagued by Fires
This is not the first time the Jos Main Market has faced such a catastrophe. The market has a tragic history of fire outbreaks:
- February 2001: A major fire completely razed the indoor complex, then regarded as West Africa's largest indoor market. Thousands of traders suffered losses, leading to years of makeshift trading arrangements.
- 2018: Another fire incident was recorded at the market.
- April 2025: A fire occurred just months before the latest blaze, with shop owners losing property worth millions of naira.
The recurrence of these incidents highlights ongoing safety concerns at the vital trading centre.
Assessment and Appeals for Calm
Mr. Wamyil explained that a comprehensive assessment to determine the exact number of affected shops and the total value of destroyed goods will follow preliminary investigations. He pleaded with the affected traders to remain patient and calm while authorities work to uncover the root cause of the inferno.
The General Manager assured that measures would be implemented to prevent similar disasters in the future. The latest fire has once again disrupted commerce in Jos and inflicted significant financial pain on business owners, many of whom are still recovering from previous losses.
