From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Traders at the Onitsha Bridge Head Drug Market, Anambra State, also known as Ogbogwu, woke up with high expectations as they filed into the market on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, for the day’s business.
Tuesday has become the first business day of the week in most parts of South East since September 9, 2021, when Biafra agitators declared every Monday sit-at-home in solidarity with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Because residents complied with the IPOB directive even when it has been called off, Tuesdays are usually very important to the business community there. Many markets in Onitsha normally come alive as early as 7am. Traders move to meet the demands of their customers.
That was actually the situation at the market on that Tuesday. Business activities were at the peak by midday. No one had any premonition that danger was lurking around.
Suddenly, around 12.30pm, there was a loud bang with accompanying explosion. It shook the foundations and rooftops of various stalls in the market. The blast was accompanied by a wildfire and choking smell that sent the traders scampering for safety.
In the ensuing confusion, some people were trapped. Others were stuck in the building where the blast occurred. It collapsed immediately.
Wailing, gnashing of teeth and cries for help rent the air. By the time the dust settled, four persons were reported dead. Others sustained various injuries. Shops and goods worth several millions of naira were razed.
Sources said the accident was caused by chemical explosion at the Science and Laboratory/Government Line of the market where dealers stocked chemicals in drums and containers for sale.
Chairman of the market, Ndubisi Chukwuleta, said they were at the point of commencing a meeting of the union executives when the incident happened. They had to cancel the meeting and sought for an emergency response.
He said the state government was contacted likewise the State Fire Service and the Emergency Management Agency. State fire chief, Martin Agbili, described the situation as terrible: “Many shops were affected not just because of the fire outbreak but following the vibration of the explosions that caused the collapse of some market buildings.
“We left the fire scene back to Awka at about 11:45pm that Tuesday with the deputy governor and some commissioners who came to sympathise with the victims and the market leaders. Fire fighters and trucks from Anambra State Fire Service and Federal Fire Service remained on standby at the scene in case of any other eventuality.”
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Aburime, said: “Governor Chukwuma Soludo upon getting wind of the incident delegated his deputy, Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike and his Special Duties counterpart, Mr Sly Ezeokenwa, to visit the scene and ascertain the level of damage as well as convey government’s sympathy to the affected traders.
“The team also met with the market leadership where it was agreed that the market be temporarily closed down to pave way for a thorough evacuation of the debris at the site of the incident.
“Investigation and evacuation are on going to unravel the remote and immediate causes of the incident with a view to proffering lasting solutions. The governor also called on the market leadership and traders to support his administration’s effort to relocate the market from such an enclosed location to the on going ultra modern pharmaceutical hub in Oba.”
For over a week after the incident, the market remained closed for business. Excavators, bulldozers and heavy-duty trucks continued to evacuate debris.
Caretaker chairman of the market, Ndubisi Chukwuleta, said: “Contrary to reports that four lives were lost, only three were confirmed dead, while seven sustained various injuries at the last count. Three lines of the drug market and some lines in the nearby tools and allied market were burnt down with the traders suffering losses running up to N1 billion.
“More than 400 shops were razed by the inferno. The owner of the particular chemical shop that exploded is still on the run. Those injured are responding to treatment in hospitals.
“The market will bounce back as soon as the evacuation exercise being supervised by the Onitsha Local Government authority is completed. Though the market is closed, those of us in leadership position have been working round the clock to restore normalcy in the market.
“We thank government for the support so far. We solicit for more because people lost shops and goods while the dead is the most painful aspect of the losses.”
Secretary-General of the market, Chigozie Obiayo and the Assistant Secretary, Benjamin Akudo, commended the officers and men of the Bridgehead Division of the Nigeria Police for their gallantry at protecting the market and its environs from vandals since the incident occurred.
Our reporter visited two hospitals in Onitsha where some of the injured were receiving treatment. Michael Edet, 19, from Akwa Ibom State, said he was assisting his mum who operates a restaurant in the market when the explosion occurred. He said he passed out when a big concrete slab from upstairs landed on his body but was resuscitated in the hospital.
Another survivor, Chioma Aguzi, said she was trapped in the smoke and was forced to jump down from the shop upstairs. She landed on an iron material that gave her a deep cut on the leg.