A catastrophic fire engulfed the popular mobile phone market in Kano State on Friday, reducing over 300 shops to ashes and leaving traders in shock and despair. The blaze, which raged uncontrollably for nearly seven hours, ravaged one of the busiest commercial hubs in Northern Nigeria, known for its thriving trade in mobile phones and electronic accessories.
Confirming the incident, the chairman of the market association, Jamilu Gama, described the scene as nothing short of a disaster. “The fire started in the early hours and continued for about six to seven hours before firefighters could finally subdue it,” he lamented.
The most severely affected part of the market was the section housing mobile phones and accessories. Traders watched helplessly as flames consumed entire rows of shops stocked with high-end smartphones, tablets, and other digital gadgets. “In just one shop, the value of goods lost could be as high as ₦500 million, and in some cases, up to ₦1 billion. It’s heartbreaking,” Gama said.
Preliminary estimates suggest the total loss runs into several billions of naira, dealing a massive blow to the local economy and the livelihoods of hundreds of entrepreneurs and their employees.
The cause of the inferno remains unknown, sparking concerns about the adequacy of fire safety measures in crowded commercial areas. Authorities are expected to launch a full investigation to determine the origin of the fire and explore preventive measures for the future.
As dusk fell over the still-smouldering ruins, distraught traders gathered in small groups, recounting their losses and praying for intervention. Many have called on both the state and federal governments to provide emergency relief and support to help rebuild what was lost in one of Kano’s darkest market tragedies in recent memory.
PIONEER NEWS 