Former Kano State governor and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has expressed sympathy to traders affected by the recent fire outbreak at the Farm Centre GSM Market in Kano, describing the incident as a painful reminder of the urgent need for improved safety regulations in public marketplaces.

The inferno, which swept through the popular mobile phone and electronics market on Friday, June 7, destroyed properties worth millions of naira.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire was triggered by a battery explosion, quickly spreading through rows of shops stocked with phone accessories, batteries, and electronics.

The disaster occurred just days before the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, dealing a harsh blow to business owners who had hoped for high patronage during the festive period.

Reacting to the incident via his verified X account on Sunday, June 8, Kwankwaso described the fire as both tragic and preventable, noting the growing risks posed by unregulated energy storage and electrical devices commonly used in commercial spaces.

“The tragic fire at the Farm Centre GSM Market in Kano, which was caused by a battery explosion, is another reminder of how dangerous electrical equipment can be,” Kwankwaso wrote. “I extend my profound sympathy to the affected businesses in this difficult time.”

He linked the timing of the incident to spiritual reflection, calling on victims to remain steadfast and prayerful in the face of adversity.

“For a tragedy like this to happen while we are in the midst of Eid celebrations is indeed a test from Allah. It also calls for total submission to His will, and it is a call for prayers for His mercy and safety,” he said.

Kwankwaso also directed attention to the responsibilities of both market leaders and government agencies in preventing similar tragedies.

He urged the Kano State Government and relevant market authorities to implement clear and enforceable safety protocols, particularly in high-risk commercial environments where energy products and electronic devices are sold or stored in large volumes.

“I call on the government and market authorities to address safety in our markets by enacting effective regulations for the handling of energy production equipment. Incidents like this must not be allowed to recur,” he said.

While no lives were lost in the incident, many traders said they watched helplessly as their shops and stock were consumed by the flames.

Efforts to contain the fire were hampered by the congestion of the market and delays in emergency response, raising fresh concerns about the state’s readiness to respond to such emergencies.

The Farm Centre GSM Market is one of northern Nigeria’s busiest hubs for the trade of mobile phones, accessories, and electronic gadgets. With a dense network of small shops and kiosks operating in tight quarters, the market has long faced calls for improved infrastructure and safety oversight.

Although authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage, traders have begun cleaning up debris while expressing frustration over the lack of preventive measures and the absence of fire-fighting infrastructure within the market.