GSM market inferno: Traders count losses as leaders rally support
A fire outbreak on Friday engulfed the popular GSM Market at Farm Centre in Kano, leaving behind a trail of destruction that wiped out hundreds of shops and goods worth millions of naira. The blaze, which tore through Dan Sulaika Plaza in Tarauni Local Government Area, struck in the afternoon when most traders were away observing […]
Aftermath of fire outbreak at the GSM market, located at Farm Centre in Kano Photo: Salim Umar Ibrahim
A fire outbreak on Friday engulfed the popular GSM Market at Farm Centre in Kano, leaving behind a trail of destruction that wiped out hundreds of shops and goods worth millions of naira.
The blaze, which tore through Dan Sulaika Plaza in Tarauni Local Government Area, struck in the afternoon when most traders were away observing Eid-el-Kabir prayers.
Eyewitnesses said the fire spread rapidly due to the flammable nature of the products stocked in the shops, mainly mobile phones, accessories, and electronic gadgets. By the time firefighters managed to subdue the flames, the damage was extensive.
Caught off guard
Hassan Saminu, the treasurer of the Farm Centre Market Association, told journalists at the scene that the fire started around noon and caught most shop owners unaware. “People had not returned from Eid prayers. Before we knew what was happening, thick smoke covered the plaza,” he said.
Though the cause of the fire is still under investigation, early reports suggest that it may have been triggered by an electrical fault. Firefighters battled the inferno for hours, and while no fatalities were reported, property damage was catastrophic.
Over 300 shops were affected, and initial assessments estimate the loss in the hundreds of millions of naira.
Kano gov’t says incident ‘devastating’
The Kano State government has described the incident as “devastating,” expressing deep sympathy with the affected traders.
On Saturday, Kano State deputy governor, Aminu Abdussalam, visited the scene on behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to commiserate with victims.
In a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Ibrahim Garba, the deputy governor said: “This is a deeply saddening event. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is extremely concerned, and we stand in solidarity with those who have lost their means of livelihood.”
He assured the victims that the state government would explore support mechanisms to cushion the impact of their losses and pledged to strengthen fire safety measures in markets across the state.
Barau donates N200m worth of gadgets
Deputy President of the Senate, Barau I Jibrin, has announced the donation of N200m worth of gadgets to the traders to cushion the effects of the inferno.
He announced the donation when he visited the phone market on Sunday to sympathise with the traders.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Senator Barau described the disaster as a test from Allah, emphasising that the market plays a significant role in engaging the youths in the state.
He also donated one Hilux vehicle, five motorcycles, a pedestrian bridge, and 1,000 solar street lights to boost the market’s security.
“When the news of the fire outbreak reached me on Friday, I was shocked and promised to come here and sympathise with you. We are all proud of you and the market. Thousands of our youths are engaged here and earning a living.
“My office will donate N200 million worth of gadgets to the victims of this fire outbreak. We will discuss the type of gadgets you want with your leaders.
“Based on the request of your chairman to secure this market, I hereby donate 1,000 units of solar streetlights, a Hilux vehicle, and five motorcycles to the market for patrol,” he said.
Sanusi deplores poor safety standards in markets
The Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, who also visited the market on Saturday, deplored the poor safety standards across markets in the state, calling for a comprehensive fire safety strategy to prevent future tragedies.
“We must not wait until fire consumes livelihoods before we act,” he warned.
Visibly moved by the devastation, the Emir announced a personal donation of N10 million to support the victims.
“I came here today not just as the Emir of Kano, but as a fellow human being pained by the sight of what has happened,” he said. “This market represents the sweat and survival of many young men and women. To see it go up in flames is heartbreaking.”
Sanusi called for broader support, urging government agencies, philanthropists, and corporate bodies to rise to the occasion.
“This donation is only a drop in the ocean. We need more hands to join in the recovery,” he added.
Ganduje, Shekarau, PDP react
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, expressed deep sorrow in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu.
Ganduje described the inferno as a devastating blow to the local economy.
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the fire that engulfed the Farm Centre GSM Market in Kano. This market is a vital hub of commerce, innovation, and youth-driven enterprise. The destruction of livelihoods, goods and investments is truly heartbreaking,” he stated.
Ganduje called on federal and state emergency agencies to investigate the cause of the fire and provide immediate relief to the victims.
He also commended the swift response by the Kano State Fire Service and other emergency responders.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims of this unfortunate incident. May Almighty Allah (SWT) give them the strength to overcome this tragedy and grant them swift recovery and restoration,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, a former Kano State governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, led members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the market to express solidarity with the traders.
Accompanied by the state PDP Chairman, Hon. Yusuf Ado Kibiya, Shekarau urged affected shop owners to remain resilient in the face of the setback.
“This fire is not just about loss of property—it’s a test of our collective resolve,” Shekarau said. “We must come together as a people to rebuild.”
Economic hub in crisis
The GSM Market at Farm Centre is one of the largest tech-focused markets in Northern Nigeria, employing thousands of youths and serving as a critical component of the state’s informal economy.
Traders from across the country and neighbouring Niger Republic rely on the market for wholesale and retail supplies of mobile phones, accessories, and computer parts.
With over 300 shops affected, analysts say the economic ripple effect will be significant. “This is not just about individual traders,” said Dr. Ibrahim Ma’aruf, an economist at Bayero University, Kano. “We’re looking at potential job losses, disruption of supply chains, and a dip in consumer confidence. Recovery must be swift and holistic.”
The fire has reignited public discourse on the need for improved fire safety infrastructure in Kano markets.
Many markets in the state, including the GSM village, lack functional fire extinguishers, emergency exits, or trained personnel to handle such emergencies.
Traders are now calling on the government to ensure every market is equipped with firefighting tools and that awareness campaigns are launched to educate people on safety protocols.
“We need not just sympathy, but solutions,” said Ibrahim Nuhu, a shop owner who lost everything in the fire. “This should be the last time such a thing happens in Kano.”
As victims count their losses and leaders rally support, the Dan Sulaika Plaza inferno has become more than just a local tragedy. It is a wake-up call to reimagine safety, resilience, and solidarity in the face of growing urban risks.