Ramadan: BUK Don Slams Price Hike by Traders in Fire-Gutted Kano Market

By Rachel Akper

A senior lecturer at Bayero University, Kano, Prof. Mainasara Yakubu Kurfi, has condemned the increase in prices of food items and other essential commodities by some traders affected by the recent fire incident at the popular Singer Market.

Kurfi made the remarks in Kano while reacting to complaints by residents over the rising cost of goods in parts of the state during the ongoing Ramadan fast.

Singer Market, a major commercial hub in Kano State, was recently gutted by fire, leading to the destruction of shops and goods worth millions of naira. The incident attracted public sympathy, with calls for assistance to support affected traders.

However, the university don expressed concern that despite the losses suffered, some traders had allegedly taken advantage of the situation to inflate prices.

He described the development as “unacceptable,” especially during Ramadan, a period when Muslims are encouraged to show compassion, fairness and generosity.

“Ramadan is a time for sacrifice and kindness, not exploitation,” he said, urging traders to fear God and avoid actions that would worsen the hardship faced by residents.

Kurfi also called on market leaders and relevant authorities to step up monitoring to ensure fair pricing, adding that profiteering during a period of religious observance undermines social harmony.

Residents in Kano have continued to express worries over the rising cost of food items, calling on the authorities to intervene and protect consumers from arbitrary price increases as the fasting period continues.