Somtochukwu

By Abubakar Auwal

Sokoto governor Aminu Tambuwal has set up a committee to bring under control a raging fire at Sokoto Central Market.

The fire broke out Tuesday morning and is “still raging seriously”, says Daily Trust correspondent in the state.

The market is considered Sokoto’s “most valuable asset”, Tambuwal said.

“We are tasking them with the responsibility of not only bringing this under control but also taking stock of losses suffered so that government can now see how it can come in to support our citizens who have lost valuables and property to this inferno,” he told a press briefing on Tuesday.

The committee is headed by deputy governor.

The fire started at 7am, and was still raging when a Daily Trust correspondent filed the initial story hours ago.

The extent of destruction in the wake of the fire is uncertain but could into billions of naira.

It was gathered that the fire was caused by a generating set.

“The fire started from a generating set at Kofar Yan Roba,” a firefighter told Daily Trust.

Videos have emerged on social media showing people scrambling to rescue ware.

They also show ware strewn on the ground over long distances.

A correspondent observed men of the federal and State fire services were currently working to extinguish the fire which has already destroyed many shops.

Tambuwal called it a “sad development”.

“We appeal to the general public and particularly owners of shops who have investment in this market to remain calm as we are doing everything humanly possible to bring it under control,” he said.

“We must not do anything that will give opportunity to hoodlums to go into the market and take advantage of these unfortunate situation to help themselves with people’s assets.”

Meanwhile, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi state has donated N30 million to victims of the disaster.

Bagudu described the incident as a big loss to the people of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara.

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