The Labour Party in Sokoto State has extended financial assistance of ₦2 million to traders whose shops were destroyed by a recent fire outbreak at the Old Market, describing the intervention as an act of compassion for residents suddenly pushed into hardship.
Party officials, led by the State Chairman, Abubakar Yawale, alongside the party’s leader in the state, Chief Ifeanyi Ezeagu, visited the market on Friday to inspect the damage and interact with traders affected by the incident.
Speaking during the visit, Yawale said the party came not only to sympathise but to practically identify with the victims. He prayed for divine restoration of their losses and called on the government to strengthen fire response systems by upgrading equipment and improving personnel training to better manage such emergencies in the future.
The delegation was welcomed by the Chairman of the Sokoto Traders Association, Alhaji Abubakar Gishiri, who said the donation came at a critical time and lifted the spirits of traders still counting their losses.
The fire, which broke out in the early hours of Sunday, razed several shops at the over 100-year-old Old Market, a major commercial centre in the state. According to traders, goods worth hundreds of millions of naira including food items, clothing, household goods, and mobile phone accessories were destroyed.
Fire service authorities disclosed that investigations are still ongoing, though preliminary findings suggest the blaze may have been caused by an electrical fault.
Chief Ezeagu, a businessman with investments in Sokoto who has supported youth employment through private initiatives, offered prayers for the victims and encouraged them not to lose hope, noting that difficult moments should not crush the determination of small-scale entrepreneurs.
He stressed that markets play a vital role in community life, adding that the impact of traders’ losses extends beyond individuals to the wider society.
In his remarks, Sarkin Gishiri expressed appreciation for the support and publicly acknowledged Ezeagu’s long-standing contributions to the state, describing him as a son of Sokoto and a trusted ally of the people.
The Labour Party said the outreach reflects its commitment to supporting vulnerable groups during times of crisis, with Yawale emphasizing that the party cannot remain indifferent when citizens are suffering.
Recurring market fires in Sokoto and other parts of northwest Nigeria have continued to spark demands for improved safety regulations, better market design, and more efficient fire service operations. The Old Market, in particular, has experienced several fire incidents in recent years, drawing attention to concerns around electrical wiring, storage conditions, and emergency response.
For traders like Aliyu Dahiru, whose foodstuff business was completely destroyed, the financial support may not replace what was lost but offers hope and reassurance.
“All we are asking for is help to rebuild,” he said. “Most of us started these businesses from nothing.”
