No fewer than seven persons have been declared missing and properties worth over N5 billion destroyed following a devastating fire outbreak at the Singer Market in Kano.
The Chairman of the market, Junaid Zakari, disclosed this on Sunday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kano, describing the incident as one of the worst tragedies in the market’s history.
Zakari said the inferno affected more than 1,000 businesses and razed four residential buildings that housed small-scale enterprises. He added that goods, equipment and other valuables were completely burnt, crippling the livelihoods of hundreds of families.
“As of the time of filing this report, seven persons have been declared missing. Investigations are ongoing to determine their whereabouts and confirm whether they are alive or dead,” he said.
He noted that emergency responders and security agencies were working to ascertain the cause of the fire, which authorities are yet to officially determine.
Zakari stressed the urgent need for support to enable affected traders rebuild their businesses, describing the incident as a tragedy that would not be forgotten in the history of the market.
He commended the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for visiting the scene while the fire was still raging, saying the swift response demonstrated concern and solidarity with the victims.
Some traders who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria lamented heavy losses.
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A shop owner, Isa Abubakar, said he lost goods worth over N200 million.
“From God we come, and to Him we shall return. It is heartbreaking to see goods worth billions of naira destroyed by fire,” he said, while also commending the governor’s visit.
Another trader, Musa Ibrahim, said he lost goods valued at over N340 million.
“The fire consumed everything we had,” he lamented.
It was earlier reported that Governor Yusuf had on Saturday called on the Federal Government to urgently provide modern firefighting equipment, including air support, following a second fire outbreak at the Singer Market in Kano metropolis.
The governor made the appeal when he visited the Gidan Gilas section of the market as the fire was still raging and destroying shops and property.