Billions of naira lost as fire guts Sokoto central market

The Sokoto Central market was gutted by fire earlier today, with the motorcycles and bicycle dealers mainly affected.

An All Progressives Congress member, HB Mayana, shared photos from the devastating incident on X this morning.

He wrote: “Sokoto Central market faced a devastating fire earlier today, particularly impacting the motorcycles and bicycle dealers.

“Preliminary reports suggest losses amounting to billions of Naira. Our thoughts are with the victims. May Allah reward them abundantly.”

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Meanwhile, an eyewitness who spoke with Punch said the Sokoto Central market fire emanated from a dump site close to the motorcycle section.

Reacting, the chairman of Motorcycles Marketers Association, Shehu Muhammad, said they could not quantify the number of motorcycles destroyed by fire because the fire was still raging.

“We cannot quantify the number of motorcycles burnt down by the fire now because the fire is still raging.

“But many people lost their shops along with their motorcycles because they could not come in time as the fire started around 6 am.

“But men of the federal and state fire services are currently battling, but I know it will take some time before they can quench it all,” he said.