Shettima leads federal delegation to Kano over Singa Market fire

Vice President Kashim Shettima is set to lead a Federal Government delegation to Kano on Monday following the devastating fire that razed Singa Market over the weekend, destroying goods worth billions of naira.

According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the delegation will deliver the President’s condolences to affected traders and announce financial support to help victims rebuild and enable the swift reopening of the market.

The fire reportedly broke out on Saturday evening and continued into Sunday morning, causing extensive damage. It marked the second major inferno at the market within two weeks.

Members of the delegation include Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, lawmakers Kawu Ismaila and Abubakar Kabir Bichi, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Bernard Doro, and Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar.

President Tinubu had earlier contacted Abba Yusuf to express sympathy and obtain a situation report. He also ordered a comprehensive investigation into the recurring market fires.

During an inspection of the Gidan Gilas section of the market, Governor Yusuf urged the Federal Government to provide modern firefighting equipment, including aerial support, to strengthen emergency response capabilities nationwide. He appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with rescue teams and donated ₦100 million to assist affected traders.

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress, including National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and former Kano governor Umar Ganduje, also visited the market to commiserate with victims.

The Southern Governors’ Forum, led by Dapo Abiodun, described the incident as one of the most tragic in the market’s history and called for preventive measures to avert future disasters. Similarly, the Northern States Governors’ Forum, chaired by Muhammadu Yahaya, expressed concern over the recurring fires that continue to disrupt livelihoods across the region.

Other prominent figures, including former Kano governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and former Senate President Bukola Saraki, also extended condolences and urged swift intervention and safety reforms.

Chairman of the market, Junaid Zakari, estimated losses at over ₦5 billion, with more than 1,000 businesses affected and seven people still missing. He described the incident as one of the worst in the market’s history, noting that four residential buildings housing small-scale businesses were completely destroyed.

Singa Market has suffered repeated fire outbreaks in recent years, with investigations often linking the incidents to faulty wiring and poor handling of electrical appliances. Emergency responders said initial firefighting efforts were hampered by insufficient water supply, though additional support later arrived, including assistance from Aspira Nigeria Limited.

Authorities say efforts are ongoing to determine the cause of the latest blaze and to prevent future occurrences.