A section of Gamboru market in Maiduguri was on Sunday gutted by fire, which destroyed about 50 shops and goods worth millions of Naira.

Some traders in the market told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri that the fire started at about 3:00 a.m. when there was nobody in the market.

A market leader, Malam Mohammed Ibrahim said that he noticed thick smoke at the market during the early morning prayers around 5:00 a.m.

“We were at the mosque praying when we saw thick smoke coming out from the market.

“But we could not get to the market immediately due to the prevailing curfew in the state,” he said.

He added that when the traders eventually got to the market in the morning, they discovered that the fire had destroyed several shops and goods worth millions of Naira.

“Nobody can say specifically the source of the fire, but some traders leaving closed by said it started around 3:00 a.m.,” Ibrahim said.

Another trader, Malam Usman Kachalla, appealed to the state government to come to the assistance of the government by rebuilding their shops.

A NAN correspondent, who visited the market on Sunday reports that many traders were seen salvaging the remains of their wares, while others stood by and lamented the situation.

The market was gutted by fire in 2009 and 2011. (NAN)

•Photo shows burning market.