Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has assured the 76 verified victims of the fire outbreaks at Sokoto Central Motor Park and the Old Market of his administration’s support to help them recover from their losses and resume their businesses.
The Governor gave the assurance while receiving the report of the committee set up by the Sokoto State Government to assess the extent of damage caused by the two separate fire outbreaks.
According to a press release signed by the Director General, Media and Publicity, Sokoto State Government House, Abubakar Bawa,
Governor Aliyu said the government would soon provide assistance to the verified victims to help them ease the hardship caused by the incidents.
He clarified that the support should not be regarded as compensation but as assistance to alleviate the difficulties faced by the affected traders.
The Governor also commended the affected traders and others whose livelihoods depend on the two affected marketplaces for their patience and understanding since the incidents occurred.
“As a government, we are deeply concerned about the way the two fire outbreaks have affected commercial activities and trade in our dear state.
“I want to assure you that we will soon provide assistance to enable you to resume your businesses,” he said.
Governor Aliyu commended the committee for what he described as a thorough and commendable exercise, assuring its members that the government would carefully study the recommendations contained in the report.
He further reassured the business community in the state of his administration’s commitment to supporting commercial activities and creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the overall interest of the state.
Earlier, the chairman of the committee, Barrister Gandi Umar Muhammad, mni, disclosed that the committee received claims from 94 persons who alleged that they had been affected by the fire outbreaks.
However, he said that following a thorough verification exercise, only 76 claimants were confirmed to be genuine victims of the incidents.
According to him, the committee conducted a comprehensive assessment of the damage caused by the two fire outbreaks in line with its terms of reference.
“We visited the two sites and interacted with the victims, witnesses and other stakeholders. We also conducted far-reaching investigations before submitting this report,” he said.
Barrister Gandi explained that the report covered the immediate and remote causes of the fire outbreaks, the losses incurred by the affected traders and recommendations on measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
He commended the traders in the two affected places for their support and cooperation, noting that their assistance facilitated the committee’s assignment.
The committee chairman further disclosed that the report contained recommendations concerning traders whose shops were affected by the fires but who successfully evacuated their goods and other belongings before they were destroyed.
He said the committee recommended that such traders be commended for their honesty and responsible conduct.
It will be recalled that sections of Sokoto Central Motor Parks and the Old Market were gutted by fire in July 2026, prompting Governor Ahmed Aliyu to constitute a nine-member committee to investigate the causes of the incidents and determine the extent of the damage.
The committee, chaired by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal and Administration, Barrister Gandi Umar Muhammad, mni, also includes the former Vice-Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Professor Aminu Salihu Mika’ilu, among its members.
