Gov Aliyu, Senator Wamakko Commiserate With Traders Over Sokoto Market Fire

By Guest Writer

20 January 2026

News

By Habeeb Hazeez

About fifty shops were razed on Sunday following a fire outbreak at the old market within Sokoto metropolis, with properties worth millions of naira destroyed. Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, who visited the scene of the incident, commiserated with traders affected by the inferno and pledged the state government’s support to help them recover from the losses.

Describing the incident as unfortunate, the governor urged the affected traders to accept the development in good faith, noting that the consequences of the fire extended beyond individual shop owners to the wider Sokoto community and the state government.

“The impact of this inferno goes beyond the affected traders; it also affects the government and the entire people of Sokoto State.

“The old market remains a critical source of livelihood for many residents,” Governor Aliyu added.

He assured the leadership of the Sokoto State Traders Association of his administration’s resolve to support those whose businesses were affected, while praying for divine intervention to avert similar incidents in the future. The governor also called on traders to continue to seek divine protection over their investments.

Governor Aliyu commended the swift response of the Sokoto State Fire Service and the efforts of traders at the market, which he said helped to prevent the fire from spreading to other sections of the market.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Sokoto State Traders Association, Chika Sarkin Gishiri, said the fire destroyed 50 shops. He disclosed that goods and properties worth hundreds of millions of naira were lost in the blaze, although no life was recorded lost.

Sarkin Gishiri appealed to the state government to assist the affected traders to enable them to resume their businesses, while commending Governor Aliyu for his consistent support to traders in the state.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC, leader in Sokoto State and Senator representing Sokoto North Senatorial District, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, has expressed deep shock over the Sunday fire outbreak that ravaged Sokoto old market.dzh

In a statement issued on Monday, by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Bashar Abubakar, Senator Wamakko said he received the news of the incident with great sadness, describing it as a painful setback to hardworking traders whose livelihoods depend on the market.

The former Governor of Sokoto State called on the affected traders to remain steadfast and take solace in the will of Almighty Allah, noting that God is the ultimate protector and restorer of all things.

Senator Wamakko prayed for divine intervention to prevent future occurrences of such incidents and asked Allah to grant the victims the strength to bear the losses. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of what was lost in the unfortunate fire disaster.