Tinubu Orders Probe Into Kano Market Fires After Fresh Blaze Destroys Shops

President Bola Tinubu has expressed sympathy with traders and residents of Kano State following another devastating fire outbreak at a major market in the state.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the incident as tragic and said he had earlier contacted Governor Abba Yusuf to receive an update on the situation.

According to the statement, Tinubu was particularly concerned that the latest fire occurred less than two weeks after a previous inferno ravaged parts of the same market, destroying dozens of shops and valuable goods.

The President has now directed a thorough investigation into the recurring fire incidents, noting that such disasters often leave traders devastated and struggling to recover.

The latest blaze reportedly broke out around 4 p.m. on Saturday and continued burning into the night. Firefighters from the Kano State Fire Service, supported by the Federal Fire Service and private responders, battled the flames for hours while traders scrambled to salvage their merchandise.

Sections of the market, including the Gidan Gilas area, were affected, with several shops and properties damaged.

Governor Yusuf, who visited the scene on Saturday night to assess the destruction, appealed to the Federal Government for assistance. He called for the provision of modern firefighting equipment, including aerial support and other advanced tools, to help prevent future occurrences.

The incident follows another major fire on February 2, which destroyed goods reportedly worth billions of naira. That earlier blaze impacted areas along Bello Road, including Gidan Mazaf, Gidan Taki, and Gidan Katsinawa, where traders lost large quantities of household items such as soap, detergents, and cooking oil.

The earlier disaster drew visits from prominent political figures, including former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, who went to the market to commiserate with affected traders and evaluate the scale of the losses.