A catastrophic fire erupted in the early hours of Thursday, destroying a rice mill in Ega-Idah, Kogi State, and dealing a severe blow to the local economy.
The mill, jointly established by the late Muhammed and Amodu, served as a lifeline for rice farmers and traders in Idah and neighboring Ibaji communities.
Eyewitnesses reported that the blaze began around 3:00 a.m. after an explosion, with the flames rapidly engulfing the facility.
“This is the peak season for our business, and this incident is a major setback,” lamented Musa, a rice merchant, noting that the mill’s destruction, valued at over ₦200 million, would lead to rice shortages during the festive season.
The security guard on duty recounted hearing a spark before the explosion but mentioned that the absence of electricity hindered the identification of suspects.
Calls to Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer SP Williams Aya went unanswered, raising further concerns about the investigation into this devastating incident.
