Two months after a fire ravaged Lokoja’s GSM Village, a prominent phone accessories market, a trader named Friday Ajeka has reportedly committed suicide after losing his business and livelihood in the blaze. The fire, which occurred on September 12, 2024, destroyed properties worth millions of naira, leaving many traders devastated and financially stranded. Ajeka, a 32-year-old from Ofu Local Government Area, is believed to have hanged himself on October 26, 2024, reportedly due to the overwhelming financial pressure of a bank loan he had taken to support his business.
Since the fire, affected traders have been hoping for assistance from the Kogi State Government. Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo had visited the scene in September, promising to help traders rebuild and recover. However, traders at the GSM Village report that they have yet to receive any support, leading to ongoing financial, emotional, and health challenges among them.
Murtala Mohammed, a trader at the GSM Village, appealed again to Governor Ododo, stating, “Many of us are struggling to provide for our families and have fallen ill from the stress. We ask the governor to remember his promise and help us rebuild our lives.” Mohammed emphasized the urgency, noting that the loss of livelihoods is impacting families across the community.
The GSM Village in Lokoja has long been a source of income for numerous youths and families in the area, providing stable employment and community support. Traders are hopeful that government assistance will come soon to help them recover and prevent further tragedies among those affected by the fire.
