Fire Destroys St. Mary Catholic Cathedral in Wukari

On Wednesday night, a fire razed the St. Mary Catholic Cathedral in Wukari, Taraba, resulting in the complete destruction of the church building. John Laikei, the director of the Catholic Diocese of Wukari, characterized the incident as a significant setback for the diocese, expressing shock among church members.

The fire reportedly started shortly after the restoration of electricity in the area, but the exact cause remains undetermined. Authorities have not yet evaluated the extent of the damage.

The absence of functional fire service vehicles in Wukari exacerbated the situation, leaving church members to watch helplessly as the fire consumed the entire structure. This incident follows a similar fire that destroyed the Wukari local government secretariat in Jalingo, the state capital, just a month prior.

Additionally, several fire incidents have been recorded in January, February, and March, affecting shops, markets, and houses, although no lives were lost. Governor Agbu Kefa has set up a committee to address the recurring fire incidents in Jalingo and parts of the state.