The Sokoto State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has donated ₦2 million to support victims whose businesses were destroyed through devastating blaze in Sokoto’s historic Old Market.
The donation, delivered on Friday, January 23, comes in the wake of a fire that tore through sections of the bustling commercial hub in the early hours of Sunday, leaving dozens of shops gutted and traders counting heavy losses. Initial reports from fire officials indicate electrical faults may have sparked the inferno, though investigations are ongoing.
A delegation from the party, led by LP State Chairman Abubakar Yawale and party leader Chief Ifeanyi Ezeagu, visited the affected site to assess the scale of destruction and engage with displaced traders.
“We came to stand with our people,” Yawale told journalists during the visit. “We pray that Almighty Allah restores every loss in multiples. But beyond prayers, we urge the government to modernise our firefighting capacity, from equipment to training, so that tragedies like this can be contained effectively.”
The delegation’s intervention was warmly received by members of the Sokoto trading community. Alhaji Abubakar Gishiri, Chairman of the Sokoto Traders Association, described the donation as both “timely and morale-boosting,” especially as traders grapple with the shock of total losses.
For many victims, the fire erased years of hard work and investment. Traders estimated that goods worth “hundreds of millions of naira”, including clothing, household items, provisions, and mobile phone accessories, were destroyed in the blaze.
Speaking to the gathering, Ezeagu, a prominent businessman with long-standing ties to the region, emphasised resilience over despair, urging victims not to give up despite the setback.
“Markets are the heart of our communities. When traders suffer, everyone feels it,” he said, adding a prayer for a swift recovery for those who lost their livelihoods.
The gesture resonated deeply with affected traders. Aliyu Dahiru, whose shop was reduced to ashes, said while the money could not bring back lost stock, it represented recognition and support in a critical moment.
“We just need support to start again,” Dahiru said. “Many of us built these businesses from scratch.”
The Sokoto State Labour Party said the visit and donation were part of its broader commitment to “stand with vulnerable communities” during crises. Yawale reiterated that political engagement should include tangible assistance in emergencies: “We cannot fold our arms when citizens are in pain.”
Market fires have become a recurring concern in Sokoto and across northwest Nigeria, prompting renewed calls for improved safety standards, better fire-fighting infrastructure, and enhanced regulatory oversight to protect traders and the public.
