President Bola Tinubu has ordered an urgent probe into the latest fire at Singer Market in Kano State, amid growing concerns over repeated blazes that have devastated the commercial hub. Singer Market is one of northern Nigeria’s busiest commercial centres, critical to food distribution and trade. Past fires in Nigerian markets have often been linked to electrical faults, poor storage practices, and restricted access for firefighting teams.
In a statement on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president directed relevant agencies to identify both the immediate triggers and underlying causes of the fire, while recommending measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The weekend blaze, which started Saturday evening and continued into Sunday, destroyed numerous shops and goods, leaving traders with heavy financial losses.
President Tinubu, who spoke with Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, to get an update on the situation, described the incident as deeply troubling. He noted that this fire occurred less than two weeks after a previous blaze at the same market, highlighting concerns about recurring safety lapses and the adequacy of emergency response measures.
The president extended condolences to affected traders and Kano residents, assuring them that the federal government would work with state authorities to enhance fire prevention strategies, upgrade disaster response infrastructure, and enforce stricter compliance with safety regulations.
The presidency stated that the investigation’s findings will inform corrective actions designed to protect lives, livelihoods, and property in one of Nigeria’s key economic hubs.
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