President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday called on local and federal authorities to provide assistance to victims of the fire incident in Oba Market, Benin, Edo State.
WITHIN NIGERIA reported earlier how fire gutted the popular Benin Monarch market close to the palace of the Oba of Benin Kingdom.
Eyewitnesses, who pleaded not to be mentioned said that all efforts to reach the State Fire Service proved abortive as the state owned fire agency complained of not having enough water and fuel at their disposal.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) in Abuja directed an investigation into the cause of the inferno, the statement quoted the president as saying: “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their shops and wares.’’
The President also directed an investigation into the cause of the inferno, in order to avoid the “horrific’’ situation in the future, while condoling with all those that were affected.