Over N5 Billion, 1000 Shops Lost In Second Kano Market Fire Outbreak, Tinubu Orders Probe

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

An estimated N5 billion worth of goods, and over 1000 shops and business premises were lost in yet another fire outbreak at the popular Singa  Market in Kano at the weekend.

The inferno which razed a substantial part of the market has been adjudged the worst in the history of the biggest Commodity Market in the commercial nerve centre of the Northern region.

The fire outbreak, the second in about two weeks, according to officials, remains one of the worst tragedies that have befallen traders in recent memory.

In an interactive session with the Media on Sunday, February 15, 2026, the chairman of the biggest Commodity Market in the Northern region of Nigeria, Junaid Zakari, informed that four residential buildings  housing small-scale businesses, over 1000 shops laden with goods, equipment, and other essential items worth over N5 billion were lost to the incident.

The Chairman, also, disclosed that seven persons are missing as at the time of the interview with the media. Investigations are ongoing to determine definitively their whereabouts.

While appreciating the efforts of the Kano State authorities, the Kano State Fire Service operatives and other rescuers in controlling the inferno,  Zakari described the unfortunate incident as one that has left a permanent scar on the traders .

Meanwhile , President Bola Tinubu on, Sunday, ,ordered an immediate and unfettered investigation into the latest inferno at the market ,which only about penultimate week witnessed a devastating fire incident that claimed billions of naira worth of goods and properties.

In a statement from his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga ,the President expressed serious concern over the repeated incidents of fire outbreak at the popular Market.

According to the President, there is the urgent need to unravel the actual circumstances surrounding the persistent cases of inferno ,which leave traders and other market users in despair and severe pain .

While commiserating with the Kano State Government, the victims and the entire Kano residents, the President also expressed profound shock and worry over the heavy losses incurred by the victims .

“The President was particularly alarmed that the latest incident came less than two weeks after another fire destroyed dozens of shops, and property at the same market”, the statement added.