President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound sympathy and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the recurrent fire outbreaks at Kano State’s popular Singer Market, which recently suffered its second devastating incident within two weeks.

The latest inferno, which ignited on Saturday evening and raged into the early hours of Sunday, caused extensive damage to goods and stalls, inflicting significant financial losses on small-scale business owners.

This tragic event follows closely on the heels of another fire that, barely two weeks earlier, destroyed valuable property and over N5 billion worth of goods, impacting more than 1,000 businesses and leaving seven people reported missing.

Upon learning of the disaster, President Tinubu immediately contacted Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to receive an urgent situation report and convey his condolences to the affected traders and their families.

The President described the development as both tragic and worrisome, emphasizing his alarm over the recurring nature of destructive market fires, which consistently leave traders in despair.

In response, President Tinubu has directed relevant federal authorities to undertake a thorough and comprehensive investigation.

The inquiry aims to determine the root causes of the latest inferno and recommend practical, effective preventive measures to avert future occurrences.

The President emphasized the critical need for stricter safety compliance, enhanced fire-prevention infrastructure, and robust enforcement of regulations in public markets nationwide.

To demonstrate the Federal Government’s support, President Tinubu has dispatched a high-level delegation to Kano State, led by Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

The team, departing Abuja on Monday, includes:

• Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas

• Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin

• Senator Kawu Ismaila

• Rep. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, Chairman, House Appropriation Committee

• Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Bernard M. Doro

• Mrs. Zubaida Umar, Director-General, NEMA

The delegation’s mission is to personally convey President Tinubu’s condolences, pledge financial assistance to the victims, and support the Kano State Government in facilitating the safe reopening of the market.

The President reiterated that government agencies would explore all avenues of support to cushion the impact, stressing that protecting livelihoods and safeguarding commercial centres are paramount.

Singer Market, a pivotal commercial hub in Kano, is widely recognized as one of the largest markets in northern Nigeria, supplying goods across multiple states.

The recent fires have caused substantial economic hardship and highlighted the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols and disaster preparedness in vital economic arteries.