Kogi Govt Probes PeeLinks Fire as Owner Blames Power Surge

LOKOJA, Kogi State | October 23, 2026

The Kogi State Government has commenced an investigation into the fire that gutted PeeLinks Electrical Mall in Lokoja, destroying goods worth millions of naira, as preliminary findings point to possible safety compliance lapses while the business owner has attributed the incident to a power surge.

The investigation comes amid renewed public concerns over fire prevention and emergency response following Wednesday’s inferno at the electronic store, which has reportedly suffered a similar major fire incident in the past six years.

The State Consultant on Safety Standards, Regulations and Compliance, Elder Dr Friday Sani, disclosed the investigation on Friday during an on-the-spot assessment of the affected premises in the state capital.

Sani said the government deployed his team to establish the root cause of the incident and determine the circumstances that may have contributed to the extent of the damage.

According to him, preliminary findings identified alleged non-compliance with safety standards as one of the factors that may have worsened the situation. He stressed, however, that the investigation was still ongoing and a comprehensive report would be released at its conclusion.

“We were immediately deployed by the state government to ascertain the root cause of this fire incident. Our preliminary findings indicate that there were lapses in compliance with safety standards, which may have contributed to the extent of the damage,” Sani said.

He explained that the findings would guide future safety measures and help strengthen compliance among businesses operating in Kogi State.

Sani warned commercial establishment owners and managers against treating safety regulations as optional, urging them to ensure that appropriate fire prevention systems and emergency response measures were in place.

“Business owners must understand that compliance with safety regulations is not optional; it is essential to protecting lives, property and investments,” he stated.

PeeLinks Owner Attributes Fire to Power Surge

Reacting to the incident, the owner of PeeLinks Electrical Mall, Peter Emeka Onujeme, popularly known as Pee Links, attributed the fire to a power surge.

Onujeme expressed appreciation to the Kogi State Government and fire-service personnel for their intervention, saying their response helped salvage the situation and prevent further losses.

He also dismissed suggestions that the incident had a spiritual connection, insisting that attention should be focused on determining the actual cause of the fire.

The owner’s explanation presents a possible electrical cause, while the state government’s preliminary findings raise questions about compliance with safety standards. However, neither account should be treated as a conclusive determination of the cause until the investigation is completed.

The government’s final report is expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the outbreak and establish whether electrical faults, safety compliance issues or other factors contributed to the incident.

Government Commends Emergency Response

During the assessment, Sani commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and his deputy for what he described as a proactive response to the emergency.

He said the deployment of fire trucks and personnel helped contain the blaze and salvage some of the goods in the store.

“An incident of this nature immediately puts the government on its toes, and the response we witnessed demonstrates the importance of preparedness in managing emergencies,” he said.

Sani added that the government was grateful that no deaths or injuries had been reported in connection with the incident, expressing hope that improved safety compliance would prevent a recurrence.

The PeeLinks management had also thanked the state government, emergency responders, security agencies, residents and volunteers who assisted during the incident.

In a statement issued after the fire, the management described the community’s intervention as a demonstration of courage and solidarity, particularly by residents who helped rescue goods from the affected premises.

It also expressed sympathy for individuals reportedly injured while participating in the rescue efforts and wished them a speedy recovery.

The management appealed to the public to avoid circulating unverified information about the incident, assuring customers and other stakeholders that further updates would be communicated through its official channels.

Residents Raise Questions Over Fire Service Readiness

Despite the commendations from the government and PeeLinks management, the incident has generated concerns among some Lokoja residents over the readiness and response time of the fire services.

Some residents questioned how quickly the Federal Fire Service arrived at the scene, while others raised concerns about the operational capacity of the Kogi State Fire Service.

Accounts circulating among residents alleged that federal firefighters arrived after a significant delay and were not immediately ready to commence operations, with claims that personnel had to make additional preparations before returning to tackle the blaze.

These allegations have not been independently verified. Details of the agencies’ arrival times, the equipment available at the scene and the sequence of their firefighting operations remain unclear.

The concerns contrast with the government’s account, which commended the deployment of fire trucks and personnel and credited their intervention with helping contain the fire and prevent further damage.

However, the two positions are not necessarily mutually exclusive. While the government has praised the intervention, residents’ concerns raise separate questions about response time, operational readiness and the capacity of emergency services to manage major fire outbreaks.

The available information does not establish whether any delay occurred or whether such a delay affected the extent of the losses.

The fire-service agencies’ accounts of their response would help clarify the circumstances and address the concerns raised by residents.

Some residents have called on the state government to strengthen its fire service through the provision of functional fire engines, adequate equipment, trained personnel and reliable standby arrangements.

They also urged the Federal Fire Service to maintain a high level of operational readiness, noting that fires can occur without warning and require immediate intervention.

Second Major Fire Raises Prevention Concerns

The latest incident has renewed concerns about fire safety at PeeLinks Electrical Mall, with reports indicating that the business suffered a similar major fire in 2020, when goods on the premises were reportedly completely destroyed.

The recurrence has heightened calls for a review of fire prevention arrangements at the premises and among commercial establishments across Lokoja.

While the current investigation is expected to establish the actual cause of Wednesday’s fire, the preliminary findings on possible safety compliance lapses have placed renewed attention on the importance of regular electrical inspections, appropriate fire extinguishers, functional alarms, clear emergency exits and staff training.

Businesses dealing in electrical and electronic equipment have also been urged to pay particular attention to the condition of electrical installations and other potential sources of fire.

The government has indicated that the outcome of its investigation will be made public, providing an opportunity to establish the facts and identify measures needed to reduce the risk of similar incidents.

For residents, the incident has also underscored the importance of a dependable emergency response system capable of limiting damage when a fire breaks out.

Investigation Expected to Guide Further Action

The investigation will be central to determining the circumstances of the PeeLinks fire and whether additional safety measures or compliance actions are required.

Its findings may also help clarify the relationship between the reported power surge and the preliminary concerns about safety standards, while informing any recommendations for preventing a recurrence.

For now, the cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the allegations concerning the readiness and response time of the fire services remain unresolved.

As PeeLinks management begins to confront the losses arising from the incident, the broader challenge for the state is to ensure that commercial establishments comply with safety requirements and that emergency agencies are adequately equipped to respond promptly.

The outcome of the investigation, alongside any subsequent action by the relevant authorities, will be important in determining whether the incident leads to lasting improvements in fire prevention and emergency management across Kogi State.

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