9-year-old girl responsible for Abuja Ebeano Supermarket fire, CCTV shows

Pascal Oparada

The fire that gutted Ebeano Supermarket in Abuja last week was an act of arson, CCTV footage reveals.

In the footage, which is trending on social media, a young girl sauntered into the inflammable items section of the supermarket, which housed gas cylinder, gas cookers and firelighters and set it alight.

She is seen picking one of the firefighters and setting the others on fire before leaving. She later observed from a distance, as the fire got bigger and firelighters exploding and igniting the gas cookers.

Nigerians have expressed anger over the action of the girl, with many alleging that it was an insiders job as the girl, who is not staff at the Supermarket could not have known where the inflammable section is located.

The girl whose identity could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report was arrested and, on interrogation, said her mother took her to the supermarket.

Nigerians have called for her and her conspirators to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

One social media user said: “So sad that Prince Ebeano Super Market in Abuja was set ablaze deliberately. I hope the lady and whoever sent her are apprehended and charged to court. Economic sabotage at any level is condemnable. Wicked Souls.”

Another wrote: “Just watched the video of the lady who set Ebeano supermarket on fire and it’s really sad. The devil is not in hell with horns. The devil is living among us as humans.”