ASHENEWS reports that 44 shops, 110 non-permanent shops, and 24 stores were destroyed, and many motorcycles were stolen by hoodlums in the fire that occurred in Sokoto Central Market on Monday morning.
The fire affected the motorcycle section of the market and destroyed several motorcycles worth millions of naira.
The Chairman of the Motorcycle Dealers’ Association, Garba Muhammad Gaji told ASHENEWS that they were able to rescue some motorcycles but a majority of them got burnt in the fire while several were stolen.
The extent of the damage is still being assessed, with Gaji stating that “The exact figures of the losses are yet to be determined. However, preliminary reports indicate that 65 motorcycles were stolen.”
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Gaji commended the efforts of the emergency response team, saying that their response was swift and helped prevent the further spread of the fire to other parts of the market.
He appealed to the state government to help the victims to recover what they had lost in the inferno.
“There are currently no plans in place to restore the lost properties, but we are hopeful that the government will extend assistance to alleviate our plight,” he said.
One of the traders who was affected, Aminu Idris lamented over the loss, saying that he worked so hard to open up a shop only for the shop alongside the motorcycles in it to be engulfed in fire.
“It took me four months to put together that shop, only to wake up in the morning to hear that all my effort was up for nothing. How would I feed my family? What would I do?” Idris lamented.
The Chairman of the Sokoto State Pilgrim Welfare Agency, Ali Musa Daddy offered condolences to the affected traders.
“This tragedy is a test of faith, and we must turn to Allah for solace and guidance. Through unwavering belief, we can overcome this adversity, and Allah will bless us with something far better,” he reassured.
