SUNTV Global, February 15, 2026 –
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dispatched Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead a high-powered federal delegation to Kano State, following a devastating fire that gutted sections of the Singer Market over the weekend, causing losses worth billions of Naira.
The delegation, scheduled to depart Abuja on Monday, will deliver condolences to traders affected by the blaze and offer support to facilitate a rapid reopening of the market.
The Singer Market fire, which erupted on Saturday afternoon in the Gidan Gilas section, quickly spread across shops and warehouses, destroying goods and disrupting trade before firefighters managed to contain it. This marks the second significant fire at the market in less than two weeks, raising concerns over recurring safety lapses.
President Tinubu, who spoke by telephone with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, described the incident as “devastating” and expressed deep sympathy for traders and Kano residents. He said:
“I am particularly alarmed that the latest incident occurred less than two weeks after a previous fire destroyed dozens of shops and property at the same market. I have directed a comprehensive investigation into the causes of these recurrent market fires, which continue to leave traders in despair.”
The federal delegation includes key lawmakers such as Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Senator Kawu Ismaila, and Rep. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Also participating are the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Bernard M. Doro, and Mrs Zubaida Umar, Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), who will coordinate relief efforts.
Kano State authorities are working alongside emergency agencies to restore services and implement preventive measures to avoid future disasters, while the federal team prepares financial and logistical support to assist affected traders.
The recurrence of fires at Singer Market highlights the urgent need for improved safety protocols in one of Nigeria’s largest and busiest trading hubs.
