Traders Urged to Provide Accurate Claims After Fire at Singer Market

The Secretary to the Kano State Government, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, has cautioned traders affected by the recent fire at Singer Market against submitting exaggerated or false claims, stressing that the state administration will not tolerate actions that could compromise relief efforts.

He issued the warning after leading an official committee to inspect the damaged sections of the market in Kano, where a large fire destroyed numerous shops and property.

Ibrahim said the purpose of the visit was to conduct an on-the-ground assessment of the level of destruction so that the government can determine the extent of support required. He described the incident as devastating, noting that beyond the loss of property, such disasters inflict deep emotional and financial hardship on victims.

While acknowledging that no assistance can fully replace what traders lost, he assured them that authorities would work to provide meaningful relief.

The SSG also emphasised that the relief distribution process would be closely monitored to ensure transparency. He disclosed that security and anti-corruption agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), were involved in oversight to prevent abuse of the system. According to him, the committee comprises individuals of integrity who would not compromise their mandate.

Traders were warned against attempts to manipulate the relief process by inflating losses or submitting false information. Ibrahim stated that anyone found guilty of such conduct could forfeit any assistance and face prosecution. He argued that exploiting relief funds intended for genuine victims would undermine the purpose of the government’s intervention.

The SSG appealed to well-meaning individuals and organisations to support the affected traders, noting that preliminary estimates suggest the total losses could exceed N20 billion. He disclosed that the Federal Government had contributed N5 billion for relief efforts, while the Progressive Governors Forum provided an additional N3 billion. Despite these contributions, he maintained that more assistance would be required to help traders rebuild their businesses.

Ibrahim assured donors that funds would be managed with full accountability. The Kano State Government, he said, had created a dedicated account for contributions and would provide regular reports on how the money is utilised.

The fire, which destroyed hundreds of shops and goods worth billions of naira, has left many traders seeking urgent support to recover from the disaster and restart their businesses.