Irate lover razes shops in Kugbo market, Abuja

A quarrel between two lovers turned fiery yesterday morning in Abuja as goods worth about N20 million were burnt to ashes in the popular Kugbo furniture market, along Abuja-Keffi Expressway.
The fire which started at about midnight was allegedly caused by one Miss Hassana John, who had verbally threatened to burn down the shop of her estranged boyfriend, simply identified as Chukwuma, after a physical confrontation between them a few days before.
It was also learnt that the amorous relationship produced a male child but things turned sour between the two lovers as they frequently fought following accusations of infidelity levelled by Chukwuma, from Enugu State, against Hassana, who hails from Akwanga Local government Area of Nasarawa State.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that the irate lady sold lo¬cal alcoholic drink (burukutu) near the market, and that she had been picked up by the police after the in¬ferno.

The fire which spread to several shops would have consumed the whole market but for the timely intervention of the FCT Fire Service personnel, assisted by some of the traders who were around.
Some of the shop owners who, who don’t want their names mentioned, decried their huge losses, and wondered how a quarrel like that could leave their businesses ruined by fire.
One of them said: “the lady that burnt this market, came here one day and had a quarrel with the boyfriend by name Chukwuma, and she threatened to burn the shop.
“Unfortunately, this morning the fire she set burned many other shops containing wood drilling machines, generators, furniture, Lister generators and furniture materials amounting to N20 million.
“Even the boy, who is nowhere to be found now, stays in a rented shop; he has no shop on his own.
“There was a day he had a fight with the lady and wounded her, after which she came to this place threatening to burn the shop, and today it has happened”
Another shop owner and victim of the incident, Gloria Akpan, said over N1million worth of furniture materials she stocked before going for Christmas and New Year celebrations where incinerated by the fire.
“I don’t know where to even start, because all the materials I bought worth N1m plus, have all burnt, I’m just confused about it for now”, she told our reporter.
A police officer in-charge of the outpost station near the furniture market, Mr. Kambai, when contacted for comment confirmed the development but referred
The divisional police officer (DPO) in Karu, where the woman is said to be cooling her heels pending further investigations into the matter.