Trader Takes Life After GSM Village Fire

Two months after a fire devastated the popular GSM village in Lokoja, Kogi State, a trader named Friday Ajeka, who lost all his goods in the blaze, has reportedly taken his own life.

The fire, which erupted at the GSM village near Kpata market in Lokoja on September 12, 2024, destroyed properties valued at millions of naira.

Ajeka, a 32-year-old from Ofu Local Government Area, allegedly committed suicide on October 26, 2024. He had reportedly been struggling with a bank loan he had taken to support his business. Traders affected by the fire had initially hoped for government assistance to rebuild, but no help has come, and many are now facing serious financial and health challenges.

The operators of Lokoja’s GSM village have once again appealed to Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo for assistance. After visiting the scene in September, the governor assured the victims that his administration would help them recover from their losses, calling the situation a “worrisome development.” He pledged to support the affected business owners and individuals to get back on their feet. However, despite this assurance, the promised aid has not yet materialized.

Murtala Mohammed, one of the village operators, urged the governor to step in quickly, as many traders are dealing with illness due to the strain of losing their livelihoods. “Some of us have families to support, but we can’t provide for them anymore,” he said. “We are losing our dignity as breadwinners and are losing lives daily. We ask Gov. Ododo to remember us and come to our rescue.”

The GSM village served as a source of income for many young people and women in Lokoja, and its destruction has left a lasting impact on the community.

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