Sunday Blaze Destroys Over 30 Shops, Sokoto Traders Left in Tears

A massive fire on Sunday swept through the popular Sokoto Old Market, destroying more than 30 shops and leaving dozens of traders grappling with heavy losses in a tragedy that has cast a shadow over the city’s commercial hub.

Among the hardest hit was the Group Three Marketing Shop, an upstairs complex hosting multiple businesses, which was completely consumed by the blaze along with several adjoining stalls.

The fire, which broke out in the early hours of the day, destroyed large quantities of goods, including bags of rice, cartons of cooking oil, seasonings, and other essential food items worth millions of naira. While the exact cause remains unknown, some traders blamed frequent power outages and surges, citing them as a recurring safety threat.

Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as shop owners frantically tried to salvage their goods before the flames engulfed their businesses.

“It was like watching years of hard work vanish in minutes,” said trader Malam Sani Zamau. “Some of us just restocked for the week.”

The Sokoto State Fire Service eventually brought the blaze under control after several hours of intense firefighting, preventing further spread. Though no casualties were reported, the emotional toll on traders was evident as many sat beside the charred remains of their shops, unsure of how to recover.

Affected traders have appealed to the government and well-meaning individuals for urgent assistance, calling for improved fire safety measures, a stable power supply, and support to rebuild their livelihoods.

The incident highlights the vulnerability of markets across Nigeria to fire outbreaks and the urgent need for preventive infrastructure to protect small-scale traders, who form the backbone of local economies.

This latest fire comes shortly after the Sokoto State Government initiated the reconstruction of the central Sokoto Market, which was gutted by fire in 2021 in a project reportedly costing billions of naira.

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