At least 50 shops were destroyed after a fire swept through Fatima Simra Multi-Purpose Market in the Dakata area of Kano State.
The blaze occurred around 5:40 a.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026. According to the market fire committee chairman, Dauda Haruna Chula, the affected shops were primarily small-scale businesses involved in oil production and the recycling of plastics and nylon.
“From preliminary observations, about 50 shops have already been destroyed and the fire is still ongoing. We are waiting for the Kano State Fire Service personnel,” Chula said, noting that efforts had been made to alert the fire service and other relevant agencies.
The full extent of the damage and any potential casualties have not yet been confirmed, but traders expressed concern over the delayed response from emergency services.
This incident comes just a week after a major fire at Singer Market in Kano affected over 1,000 traders. Vice President Kashim Shettima visited the market on Monday, offering condolences and donating N5 billion on behalf of the government. He described the fire as a national tragedy, praying for the victims and for protection against future disasters.
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf also announced that All Progressives Congress (APC) governors contributed N3 billion to support the victims.
