Labour Party Donates ₦2 Million to Sokoto Market Fire Victims

The Labour Party (LP) has donated ₦2 million to traders and residents affected by a recent market fire outbreak in Sokoto State, in a move aimed at providing relief and supporting recovery efforts among victims.

The donation follows a devastating fire incident that razed several shops in one of Sokoto’s major markets, destroying goods valued at millions of naira and disrupting the livelihoods of dozens of traders. The inferno is part of a troubling pattern of repeated market fires recorded in the state in recent months. According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the most recent fire occurred in early March 2025, engulfing at least 53 shops. The fire reportedly broke out at about 6:45 a.m., with its cause yet to be officially determined. Items lost in the blaze included grains, poultry feed, herbs, textiles, and other commercial goods, leaving many small business owners financially stranded. In a statement released by the party’s leadership, the Labour Party described the ₦2 million donation as a humanitarian intervention designed to ease the immediate hardship faced by affected traders. The party said the gesture reflects its commitment to social welfare, disaster response, and grassroots economic support. The recurring market fires in Sokoto and other parts of the country highlight the urgent need for stronger safety infrastructure and proactive emergency planning. Our donation is a modest contribution to help victims recover and restart their businesses,” the statement read The party also called on federal and state authorities to strengthen fire prevention systems in major markets and to implement long-term support measures for affected traders. It urged corporate organizations, philanthropists, and political stakeholders to join ongoing relief efforts, warning that repeated disasters could worsen poverty and unemployment in vulnerable communities. NEMA, which conducted a post-incident assessment, has raised concerns over fire safety gaps in commercial centers across Sokoto State and emphasized the need for improved preparedness and preventive measures to curb the growing frequency of such incidents. Traders and community leaders in the affected market welcomed the Labour Party’s intervention, describing it as timely and compassionate. However, they appealed for broader government-backed compensation and sustainable reconstruction plans to help them fully recover from their losses. As investigations into the cause of the fire continue, pressure is mounting on relevant authorities to enforce safety regulations, upgrade emergency response systems, and prevent future occurrences that threaten lives, property, and economic stability in the state.