Fire Guts Onion Stores in Sokoto, Farmers Lose ₦56.8m

News in brief:

-A fire outbreak razed onion storage facilities in Sokoto, destroying 2,275 bags worth about ₦56.8m.

-Affected farmers are calling for urgent government support to recover ahead of the next farming season.

Farmers in Sokoto State are counting heavy losses after a fire outbreak destroyed no fewer than 2,275 bags of onions in Kojiyo community, Goronyo Local Government Area, with damages estimated at ₦56.8 million.

The incident was reported to have started around 2 pm on the day and lasted for nearly seven hours, engulfing about 65 traditional onion storage huts.

Massive Destruction, No Casualties

While no lives were lost, the fire caused extensive damage to stored produce, leaving many farmers in distress and without a source of livelihood.

Confirming the incident, the National President of the Nigerian Onion Producers Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria, Aliyu Maitasamu, said each hut contained an average of 35 bags.

He estimated the total loss at about N56.8 million, based on an average price of ₦25,000 per bag.

Affected farmers described the incident as catastrophic, with many losing their entire stock.

One of the victims, Abdullahi Rima, said he lost about 210 bags, while another farmer, Nura Magaji, who lost 70 bags, expressed concern over survival, noting that his family depended on gradual sales for sustenance.

Similarly, Ashafa Muhammad said the fire wiped out everything he relied on, leaving affected households struggling to cope.

Cause Under Investigation

Maitasamu said the cause of the fire remains unknown, but noted that traditional storage structures made from dry grass and stalks are highly vulnerable to outbreaks. He added that the association had previously advised farmers on fire prevention measures.

Community leaders and stakeholders have called for immediate assistance to help affected farmers recover before the next planting season.

The village head of Kojiyo, Muhammadu Sarkin Rima, said many households had lost their primary means of livelihood and now face food insecurity.

The association also urged intervention from agencies such as the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency and the National Emergency Management Agency.

However, a spokesperson for the state emergency agency, Abdullahi Ghani, said the agency had yet to receive an official report of the incident but would conduct an assessment once notified.

Minimal Market Impact Expected

Despite the scale of the destruction, Maitasamu downplayed fears of a significant rise in onion prices, stating that the volume lost is unlikely to disrupt the market.

However, residents warned that prolonged recovery challenges for affected farmers could impact local supply if support is not provided in time.