PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the recurring fire outbreaks at Singer Market in Kano State, following yet another devastating inferno that destroyed goods worth billions of naira over the weekend.
The President also directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead a high-powered Federal Government delegation to Kano to commiserate with affected traders and convey the administration’s condolences and support.
The fire, which broke out on Saturday evening and raged into Sunday morning, caused extensive destruction at Singer Market, one of Nigeria’s largest food markets.
The latest incident occurred less than two weeks after a similar blaze razed dozens of shops and properties within the same market.
Describing the development as tragic and deeply troubling, President Tinubu said he was particularly alarmed by the recurrence of the disaster within such a short period.
The President had earlier spoken by telephone with Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to obtain a firsthand situation report and express his sympathy to the people of the state.
In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President extended heartfelt condolences to traders and business owners who suffered losses in the inferno.
As part of immediate federal intervention efforts, Vice President Shettima will lead a delegation departing Abuja to Kano to deliver President Tinubu’s message of solidarity and announce federal support measures.
The delegation includes:
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas
Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin
Senator Kawu Sumaila
Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Kabir Bichi
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard M. Doro
Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar
During the visit, the delegation is expected to pledge financial assistance on behalf of the Federal Government to help traders rebuild their businesses. The team will also engage with the Kano State Government to facilitate the swift reopening of the market and restore economic activities.
President Tinubu has directed that a comprehensive investigation be carried out into the immediate and remote causes of the recurring fires, with a view to preventing future occurrences.
The President’s directive underscores growing national concern over the persistent spate of market fires across the country, particularly in northern states, where traders often suffer devastating financial setbacks.
Meanwhile, the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has expressed deep sympathy with victims of the Singer Market fire, describing the tragedy as painful and distressing.
In a statement signed by its Chairman and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the Forum lamented that the incident came barely weeks after a similar outbreak, thereby compounding the emotional and economic trauma faced by traders.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya noted that the recurring market fires across the North have continued to erode livelihoods, disrupt economic activities, and push families into hardship.
He stressed the urgent need for comprehensive and technology-driven preventive measures by both federal and state authorities.
The NSGF recommended the deployment of modern fire detection and suppression systems in major markets, improved infrastructure planning, stricter enforcement of safety regulations, and sustained public enlightenment campaigns targeted at traders and market operators.
The Forum also commended the swift response of the Kano State Fire Service, security agencies, NEMA, and other emergency responders whose intervention helped contain the blaze and prevent further destruction.
For affected traders, the latest inferno represents not just a financial loss but a significant setback to livelihoods already strained by economic challenges.
With billions of naira reportedly lost in goods and property, many shop owners are grappling with uncertainty about how to rebuild.
As the Federal Government delegation prepares to visit Kano, expectations are high that concrete support measures and long-term safety reforms will follow.
The coming days will likely determine not only the pace of recovery at Singer Market but also whether lasting solutions can be implemented to end the cycle of destructive market fires across the region.