TheCable

A fire outbreak on Sunday night destroyed goods and properties worth millions of naira at the old market in Sokoto.

The fire, which started around 10.00 pm lasted for about three hours before it was put off by firemen, traders and good Samaritans, including Aminu Tambuwal, the governor.

The market, locally known as Kasuwar Dan-Jabalu, is reputed for selling clothing materials, foot wears and jewellery, as well as exchange of foreign currencies.

A cross section of the affected traders described the incident as an act of God.

”This is a tragedy from God, and we have taken it as such as faithful Muslims,” Abdulkadir Mainiyo, one of the traders, said.

”We are however soliciting for assistance from the federal and Sokoto state governments, public spirited individuals and groups.”

Meanwhile, Tambuwal has expressed deep sympathy with the traders and promised to assist them.

In a statement,  Imam Imam, Tabuwal’s spokeswoman, said the government would set up a committee to investigate the incident.

“The committee will also recommend the necessary assistance to be rendered to the victims,” Tambuwal said.