Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has visited the old Market in Sokoto following a devastating fire outbreak that destroyed several shops and goods worth hundreds of millions of naira. The fire, which occurred around 10:00 am on Sunday, affected dozens of traders but thankfully claimed no lives.
During an on-the-spot assessment of the incident, Governor Aliyu described the fire as unfortunate, noting that its impact went beyond individual traders to the entire Sokoto community. He emphasized that the Old Market remains a vital economic hub and a major source of livelihood for many residents of the state.
The governor assured the affected traders that his administration would not abandon them in their time of need. He pledged that the state government would provide necessary support to help those impacted recover from the losses. While urging traders to remain hopeful, Aliyu encouraged them to see the incident as the will of Almighty Allah and to stay resilient.
Governor Aliyu also commended the prompt response of the Sokoto State Fire Service, as well as the collective efforts of traders at the market, which helped prevent the fire from spreading further and causing more damage.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Sokoto State Traders Association, Alhaji Chika Sarkin Gishiri, disclosed that about 50 shops were affected by the inferno. He revealed that property worth hundreds of millions of naira was destroyed but confirmed that no casualty was recorded. Sarkin Gishiri appealed to the state government for assistance to enable traders return to business activities and expressed appreciation to the governor for his consistent support.
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency, through its Sokoto Operations Office, confirmed that its Emergency Response Team was swiftly deployed in collaboration with the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency and other stakeholders to contain the fire. The cause of the incident remains unknown as investigations continue.
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