The Kano State Government has constituted a high-level investigative committee to unravel the circumstances surrounding the recent fire outbreak at the Farm Centre GSM Market, which left scores of traders counting heavy losses running into millions of naira.
The committee was officially inaugurated on Tuesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Ibrahim, who represented Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at the ceremony. While addressing members of the newly formed body, Ibrahim stated that the administration is determined to identify both the immediate and remote causes of the inferno, assess the full scale of the destruction, and put forward actionable recommendations to forestall future occurrences.
He cautioned against politicising the tragic incident and stressed the need for accountability in all relief efforts. According to him, all donations, whether from individuals, corporate bodies, or concerned Nigerians, must be routed through the designated government channels for proper coordination and equitable distribution.
“We must not allow this unfortunate incident to become a political tool. All support must be streamlined through the official account or the committee itself to ensure that assistance reaches genuine victims without bias,” Ibrahim warned.
The investigative committee is chaired by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Nasiru Garo, and comprises a broad spectrum of representatives drawn from critical sectors and agencies. These include the Kano State Fire Service, Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Kano Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA), Farm Centre GSM Traders’ Association, Kano State Investment and Properties, Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA), as well as several special advisers.
Alhaji Abdulkadir Shehu AGS-HOC was appointed to serve as secretary to the committee.
The Secretary to the State Government further outlined the committee’s terms of reference. These include conducting a thorough probe into the origin and nature of the fire, evaluating the extent of damage and any casualties, assessing the adequacy of the emergency response deployed during the incident, and reviewing the existing fire prevention infrastructure in the market.
He also noted that the committee would be tasked with verifying the identities and businesses of affected traders, inspecting the market’s current layout to ensure compliance with urban safety standards, and recommending a sustainable administrative and safety framework for future operations at the GSM hub.
“This is not just about putting out fires but about preventing them in the first place. We need a long-term, structured approach to market safety, emergency readiness, and administrative oversight,” he said.
The committee is expected to submit its report within seven days, complete with a detailed evaluation and strategic recommendations that will aid the government in formulating responsive policies to support affected traders and prevent similar disasters in the future.
