Niger: Hotel Owner Threatens Suicide Following Devastating Fire That Destroyed Property and Valued Beers
By Yahaya Zakka Minna
A swift intervention by neighbors and Good Samaritans prevented hotel owner Sunday Agbo from attempting self-harm after a fire ravaged his multi-million naira hotel in Suleja, Niger State.
The fire reportedly ignited on Sunday afternoon when one of the hotel’s generator sets caught fire and rapidly engulfed the structure.
The hotel, Abagbo Garden and Hotel, commonly known as the “Car Wash Hotel,” situated in the Kwankwashi area of Suleja, is among the town’s most prominent establishments.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that despite efforts by neighbors, guests, and staff from A. A Rano Filling Station—with fire extinguishers—the blaze continued to spread with little material to salvage.
It was reported that, although the Suleja fire service responded with their truck, much of the hotel had already been destroyed in what observers described as a “mysterious fire” due to its rapid progression and severity.
In addition to the hotel rooms, the entire storage area, which contained over 200 cartons of various beer brands, was reduced to rubble.
Further reports indicated that the hotel’s management received the shipment of these beers on Saturday, prior to the fire, with none yet sold.
Hotel director Mr. Sunday Agbo, a native of Benue State, watched helplessly as the fire reduced his lifelong investment to ashes. He initially attempted to flee but was quickly restrained by bystanders who suspected he was contemplating suicide.
He was subsequently taken to his residence, where family and friends gathered to offer support and condolences.
The visibly distressed director, after regaining composure, expressed that he had lost everything he had dedicated over the past 20 years, asking, “What else do you want me to do in this life?”
It was also reported that Mr. Agbo had taken a loan of over N10 million to renovate the hotel and was still indebted for the 200 cartons of beers received before the fire.
“I don’t know how I will recover from this. I am finished. I don’t know where to begin because I have invested everything in this hotel,” he said through tears.
