Makurdi market fire: N50 million 'support' message goes viral; truth or hoax?

Dozens of shops were gutted as a massive fire broke out in parts of Nigeria's Makurdi Modern Market yesterday. Shopkeepers are claiming that goods worth millions of nairas were destroyed due to the fire.

As the shopkeepers and authorities were analyzing the impact of fire, a message has gone viral on social media claiming that, "Governor Samuel Ortom has announced that the Benue State Government will support traders whose shops have been razed down at the Makurdi modern market with the sum of Fifty Million, (N50,000,000) to cushion the effect of the damage done."

The message is being widely shared as shopkeepers worry about the massive losses they could be staring it if the government fails to step in to support them. The message also has pictures of Samuel Ortom talking to people and going through the market devastated by fire.

However, there is no official announcement until now regarding any compensation for the devastating fire.