Fire Destroys Shops at Sokoto Old Market

Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto

A raging inferno on Friday night destroyed several shops at the Sokoto old market. THISDAY checks on Saturday revealed that several shops were razed down by the fire which occurred at the market at about 9pm. It was gathered that some of the wares lost included food items, cooking oil, detergents, toiletries, sugar, salt and other household items.

A trader at the market Malam Ibrahim Shehu, who was affected by the incident, told THISDAY that goods worth several millions of naira were lost in the inferno. Shehu appealed to the state government to come to their aid to enable them continue with their businesses.

“We are calling on Governor Aminu Tambuwal and the Federal Government to help us so that we can continue with our businesses,” he pleaded. Commenting on the incident, The Head of Operatons, Sokoto State Fire Service, Mr. Mustapha Mohammed, told journalists that the inferno started at 9pm, Friday night. He said the cause of the fire outbreak was not known and was not really as a result of power surge. He stated that the men of the Fire Service were able to put out the fire in two hours, with the assistance of the affected traders and residents of the area. Mohammed added that the Department would conduct thorough investigation with a view to finding out the cause of the incident. Mohammed however, maintained that there was no loss of life in the inferno.

“I am happy that no life was lost in the incident but a fireman suffered a dislocation in his right leg and is currently undergoing treatment,” he said.