Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has assured business owners and victims of Saturday’s fire outbreak at the SPAR Shopping Complex (Calabar Mall) of immediate government intervention and relief assistance.
​The blaze began around 6:00 AM on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the SPAR Shopping Complex located in Calabar, the Cross River State capital. Eyewitnesses reported hearing an explosion, suspected to be a minor gas or electrical fault before flames engulfed a significant portion of the multi-billion-naira facility.
The inferno damaged multiple commercial units, including electronics stores, pharmacies, clothing boutiques, and phone shops, resulting in extensive property loss.
​Speaking during an on-the-spot inspection at the scene on Saturday, the Governor represented by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dr. Peter Odey conveyed the administration’s solidarity with affected traders and the management of Artee Group, operators of SPAR Mall Nigeria.
​”Government will not abandon you at this trying moment,” Dr. Odey stated on behalf of the Governor. “The Director-General of SEMA is already taking steps to assess the extent of the damage and provide immediate relief to those affected. Our objective is to support them so affected businesses can resume operations as soon as reasonably possible.”
​In a official statement released by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Pastor Ekpenyong Ene Cobham, the state confirmed that the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), in coordination with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has commenced damage assessments to establish emergency relief measures.
​Joint operations by the Cross River State Fire Service and the Federal Fire Service successfully contained the blaze to prevent further spread. Meanwhile, officers from the Nigeria Police Force were deployed to secure the perimeter against potential looting. No fatalities have been reported as formal investigations into the root cause remain ongoing.
