Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu has visited the scene of a devastating fire that gutted dozens of shops at the Old Market in the state capital, offering condolences and pledging government support to traders who lost property and goods in the inferno. The governor’s gesture comes as victims and local leaders reel from the financial blow of the blaze, which destroyed property estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of naira.
The fire broke out at about 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, consuming roughly 50 shops in one of Sokoto’s busiest commercial hubs. Eyewitnesses and market officials said the flames spread rapidly through the tightly packed structures, devouring stock and leaving business owners counting heavy losses. Thankfully, no loss of life was reported in the incident, though traders described the damage as “total and heartbreaking.”
During an on-the-spot assessment of the scene, Governor Aliyu described the incident as “unfortunate,” emphasising that its impact extended far beyond those directly affected. “The impact of this inferno goes beyond the affected traders; it also affects the government and the entire people of Sokoto State,” he told gathered traders and onlookers. The governor acknowledged the Old Market’s role as a major economic hub and source of livelihood for many residents and assured victims that his administration would not abandon them in their time of need.
Aliyu urged traders to accept the loss as God’s will and remain hopeful about the future, even as he promised meaningful government intervention to help them recover. He also commended the Sokoto State Fire Service and traders’ own efforts for helping to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further. His remarks were delivered amid scenes of charred remains, collapsed stalls, and devastated shop fronts, with many victims surveying the ruins of years of work and investment.
The Chairman of the Sokoto State Traders Association, Alhaji Chika Sarkin Gishiri, said the blaze affected about 50 shops and property worth millions, but expressed gratitude for the governor’s swift response and promise of assistance. “We appreciate the governor for always standing with traders. We are confident that his administration will come to our aid,” he said, reflecting the sentiments of numerous victims at the scene.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency also responded promptly to the fire outbreak, deploying emergency response teams to coordinate firefighting efforts and limit the extent of the damage. NEMA’s Sokoto Operations Office said in a statement that its personnel worked with state emergency officials and the fire service to contain the blaze and prevent it from engulfing other parts of the market.
The coordinated response by multiple agencies prevented the catastrophe from becoming even worse, according to emergency responders, but the financial losses suffered by traders remain enormous. Many of the shop owners are small-scale business operators whose livelihoods depended on daily sales and savings accumulated over years. With goods destroyed and stalls rendered unusable, they now face uncertainty and hardship in scrambling to recover.
Fire outbreaks in Nigerian markets are not uncommon and have been a persistent threat to traders’ investments nationwide — often attributed to issues like electrical faults, power surges, poor safety infrastructure, and inadequate firefighting resources. Recent data from other parts of the country show that market fires have caused widespread destruction, raising concerns about safety measures and urban planning in crowded commercial centres.
Governor Aliyu’s visit underscores the state government’s commitment to supporting affected citizens and underscores the importance of disaster preparedness in commercial areas. As the market community begins to count the cost of the fire, many are calling for improved firefighting infrastructure, enhanced electrical safety oversight and better access routes for emergency services to prevent similar catastrophes in the future.
State officials have not yet disclosed specific plans or timelines for financial or material assistance to the traders, but Aliyu’s pledge signals that government intervention may be forthcoming. Traders and community leaders will be keenly watching for details on relief measures, compensation structures and long-term strategies to rebuild and protect one of Sokoto’s vital economic arteries.
As cleanup efforts begin and assessments continue, the Sokoto Old Market fire serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by traders and the need for improved market safety protocols across Nigeria’s bustling commercial landscapes.
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