Tinubu orders probe of Kano market fire, promises assistance as traders count losses

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the devastating fire that razed Singer Market in Kano metropolis and pledged financial assistance to affected traders, as fears mount over seven persons declared missing.

The fire, which broke out on Saturday evening and raged into Sunday morning, reportedly started in a large provision store before spreading rapidly across sections of the market. Traders and market officials said goods and property worth over N5 billion were destroyed, affecting more than 1,000 businesses and four residential buildings housing small-scale enterprises.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the incident as tragic and deeply concerning, particularly as it occurred less than two weeks after a similar fire incident at the same market.

Tinubu had earlier spoken by telephone with Abba Kabir Yusuf to obtain a situation report and convey his condolences to traders and residents of Kano State.

He subsequently directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead a Federal Government delegation to Kano to express solidarity with victims and formally pledge financial support on behalf of the Federal Government.

According to the statement, members of the delegation include the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; Senator Kawu Ismaila; and Rep. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, and the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, are also part of the team.

“The delegation will convey the President’s condolences to the traders and pledge financial assistance to aid the victims, as well as support the Kano State Government in facilitating the quick reopening of the market,” the statement noted.

Beyond the extensive property losses, anxiety gripped the market community as seven persons were declared missing following the inferno. Chairman of the market, Junaid Zakari, said the individuals had not been accounted for as of Sunday, with emergency responders and security agencies working to determine their whereabouts and confirm their safety.

Zakari described the fire as one of the worst tragedies in the market’s history, noting that hundreds of families had been left without livelihoods. He called for urgent government intervention to help traders rebuild.

Some victims recounted staggering losses. A trader, Isa Abubakar, said he lost goods worth over N200 million, while another, Musa Ibrahim, estimated his losses at more than N340 million.

“From God we come, and to Him we shall return. It is heartbreaking to see goods worth billions of naira destroyed by fire,” Abubakar said.

Governor Yusuf, who visited the Gidan Gilas section of the market while the fire was still raging, appealed to the Federal Government to provide modern firefighting equipment, including air support, to prevent recurrent incidents.

Tinubu, expressing concern over repeated market fires in Kano, directed that a thorough investigation be conducted into the immediate and remote causes of the blaze, with a view to preventing future occurrences.