Fire Destroys Rice Mill in Kogi State

During the early hours of Thursday, November 12, 2024, a destructive fire consumed a rice mill in Ega-Idah, the administrative hub of the Idah Local Government Area, Kogi State. 

It was gathered that the fire began at 3:00 a.m. after an explosion that shook the surrounding area.

The rice mill, a joint business set up by two friends, the late Muhammed and Amodu, was a vital resource for farmers and rice traders in Idah and the neighbouring Ibaji communities.

A security personnel member on duty claimed to have heard a sound similar to a match being struck, followed by a spark and an explosion that swiftly consumed the mill.

He revealed that the lack of power supply at the time restricted efforts to identify any culprit.

Interacting with journalists, Musa, a rice merchant from Idah, said, “This is the high season for our business, and this incident is a major setback.

He claimed that the loss of the mill, rated to be worth over ₦200 million, would severely affect the local economy, specifically during the festive season when demand for rice is at its highest.

Plans to reach the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Williams Aya, for comments were unsuccessful, as his phone line was unreachable.