Are Abuja's Markets Becoming Another Fire Hazard Like Kano's?

The devastating images from Kano's Singer Market are etched in the nation's memory: a rampant fire, distraught traders crying out, and years of hard work and inventory turned to ashes in an instant. Official reports attributed the inferno to an electrical fault, rendering firefighting efforts ineffective as the flames raged. Just yesterday, another blaze erupted at a different market in Kano.

Traders had expanded their stalls beyond their designated areas, creating convoluted alleyways. When firefighters arrived, they found their path to the flames obstructed, revealing the trap that had formed long before the fire ignited.

In Nigeria, many significant markets are packed or overcrowded, with vendors and customers vying for even the smallest spaces to exhibit goods or haggle over prices. This troubling issue also permeates the country's capital, where a recent examination of major markets in the Federal Capital Territory—Wuse, Utako, and Kado—by Weekend Trust illustrates that the same perilous conditions are emerging. While some markets have improved, others are hastily replicating the circumstances that led to the disaster in Singer Market.

The congestion in Abuja’s Wuse, Karimo, and Karu markets portrays a scene of chaotic business, hindered by a fundamental clash between existing infrastructure and the continuous surge of commerce. Both formal and informal trading coexist in a cramped environment, perpetually teetering on the edge of chaos. This scenario mirrors the severe congestion that has long troubled Kano’s Singer Market, and the comparison is both significant and revealing.

The overflow of businesses into all available public areas, even by merchants who have proper shops within market premises, contributes to the congestion. Many set up additional, unofficial stalls in already narrow walkways to display excess merchandise or lure customers away from their main stores. This behavior reduces passageways, transforming them into extensions of their businesses rather than thoroughfares.

During visits to the markets, reporters identified a considerable presence of petty traders along the fringes and the roads leading into them. Vendors in places like Wuse Market operate in precarious situations, balancing their goods while constantly wary of task force interventions. They spread their products on mats, tables, or directly on the ground, overtaking sidewalks and often forcing pedestrians and vehicles into the road. This informal trading creates a significant obstacle for anyone trying to enter or exit the market.

Joke Ibrahim, a trader at Karimo Market, explained, "This market is expanding, but it’s situated by the roadside. Petty traders set up along the road because those farther back suffer from low visibility and foot traffic."

Patrick, a seller of second-hand clothing, voiced his anxieties: "Every day I worry about fire. Since the last incident, fear has gripped us. But what are our choices? Business is growing, but there’s no room. If I keep my goods inside, I lose customers to those outside. We are all merely trying to survive. The walkway may be public, yet in this market, public space is utilized for business. The government discusses road expansion, but we need expanded markets."

Nkechi Mary, a petty trader selling provisions on the walkway, added, "Which taskforce? They appear and we scatter; then we return. It’s an everyday struggle. I can’t afford to rent a shop. My husband is ill, and I have four children to feed. This is my workspace. I display my tomatoes and peppers here where passersby can see them. Sometimes, a woman in a car will stop to buy. But when the wheelbarrow operators come with heavy loads, they cause havoc and we argue. It’s tough, but I have no choice. If I go inside, I’ll be invisible."

"It’s a constant fight! You must have eyes everywhere," lamented Abubakar Idris, a wheelbarrow pusher. "I’m hauling a heavy bag of rice and cannot stop quickly. I shout 'pardon me!' but no one gives way. If I disturb the women with their wares on the ground, they’ll shout at me. Drivers honk if I slow them down. Customers await their goods, and they won’t pay if I’m late. We are the lifeblood of this market, yet we are treated like smoke."

At first glance, Wuse Market gives a glimmer of hope. Here, the scars of fire remain fresh enough to prompt genuine changes. Ibrahim Dan Ali, a trader affected by last year’s fire, recalls the chaos: "It started right there in the adjacent block."

When asked if congestion contributed to the incident, his answer was emphatic: "Definitely! The congestion was immense. By the time we attempted to extinguish the fire, it had already escalated dramatically."

In response, authorities took swift action. Roads were widened, illegal extensions removed, and perhaps most importantly, the fire service established a permanent station within the market. "Now, thankfully, the Fire Service trucks are stationed right here," Dan Ali said, gesturing toward the emergency exit where the trucks are parked.

A driver from the Fire Service confirmed that they now have unimpeded access to all significant entrances, addressing the congestion that had previously turned manageable fires into disasters.

Wuse Market, having narrowly escaped catastrophe, seems to have learned its lesson, but this cannot be said for other markets.

Utako Market, located just a few kilometers away, showcases a contradictory scenario. Signs of encroachment are omnipresent. Routes meant for emergency vehicles are packed with merchandise, while temporary structures have reduced passageways to nearly a standstill.

Happiness David, a trader there, highlighted a dangerous trend: "Merchants are turning their shops into living quarters. They cook in their shops or face electrical issues; that causes fires. We must warn them."

She expressed her most alarming concern: a lack of communication. "There’s no emergency number here. This proximity is a local market. I don’t believe there is any fire equipment present."

On the other hand, Galadima Gbegbe, the Utako AMAC market manager, exuded confidence, stating, "I’ve been on this street for nearly 80 years and we’ve had no fire incidents in Utako Market."

He pointed out a collaboration with the traders' union to ensure that lights are turned off at the transformer every night.

Confronted with the absence of a fire station, Gbegbe looked to the future: "The market is set to undergo redevelopment. The new design includes a fire service office. That’s the modern approach, should reconstruction proceed."

The disconnect is striking: a manager reliant on decades of good fortune against traders who lack emergency contacts and face perilous daily conditions.

At Utako, the fire hazard triangle comes together: combustible materials like wooden stalls, plastics, and fabrics are packed closely together. Unauthorized cooking surfaces and faulty electrical connections abound, while shops that double as homes increase the fire risks.

The narrow, obstructed hallways ensure that if a fire were to start, it would flourish, while firefighters would be trapped at the entrance.

POS operator David James pointed out the market's four entrances as evidence of preparedness. "If a fire were to happen, we’ve got exits. There are four gates here; I don’t see anyone getting hurt in a fire," he said confidently.

But, as Kano learned through heavy losses, exits are useless if the access paths are impassable. The danger in Utako is being constructed bit by bit, each day.

Kado Fish Market, however, offers a different narrative. Traders like Emeka Phillips report they are prepared. Following a fire last November, they acted quickly to extinguish the flames within 30 minutes. Phillips recalled, "We managed to put it out with our fire equipment."

Nevertheless, Kado has outgrown its confines. An informal “village” has developed just outside the main gate. Makeshift stalls line access routes, obstructing the paths that fire trucks would need to traverse. This offshoot operates without fire extinguishers or compliance on closing hours and electrical safety. The irony is stark: Kado’s well-managed success has fueled a disorganized and dangerous expansion.

The Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML) oversees the government’s provision of services to the FCTA-managed and other markets in the Federal Capital Territory.

In an exclusive discussion, AMML's operations head, Innocent Amaechina, elaborated on the systemic hurdles affecting fire safety, stating that genuine prevention must begin before the first trader arrives.

"Fires in markets originate during the design phase. When constructing a market, it’s crucial to remember that you’re not building a residential area. It’s essential to plan for space and product types. The materials selected for market structures should differ from those used in residential buildings, as markets are inherently more susceptible to fire. Fire-resistant materials like bricks should be prioritized over standard blocks and specialized roofing materials," the official advised.

For markets that have already been established, the focus shifts to damage control. "If recovery is feasible, we take action. If it’s not, we start anew. There are many preventive measures available," he continued.

A key component of AMML’s strategy is understanding the "Fire Triangle"—the three essential components that must converge for a fire to ignite: combustible materials, oxygen, and heat.

"Recognize that a fire cannot ignite unless this triangle aligns. There needs to be a combustible element, oxygen, and a heat source. Without these three, no fire can occur. As a manager, it’s vital to keep them separated at all times. Avoid bringing in fuels—whether foam, plastics, wood, or any other easily ignitable items. Heat will naturally appear due to sparks or environmental factors. Our aim is to prevent the triangle from forming," the official clarified.

The most noticeable threat linking Wuse Market's stories to the tragedy in Kano is congestion. AMML inherited this considerable problem.

"We inherited a market housing over 12,000 containers, canopies, and other structures in a space meant for just 1,500 shops. The risks are glaring," he explained.

While the FCTA has removed many of these hazardous structures, maintaining that progress demands unceasing monitoring. "That congestion spawns fires. These tents and containers are frequently made of flammable materials and are positioned in pathways and driveways—the exact areas fire trucks need access to. They obstruct and suffocate the entire location," he noted.

This very situation—fire trucks trapped by overcrowding—is what traders in Wuse narrowly escaped and what the Kano populace tragically endured.

Amaechina also commented on the N8 billion relief fund allocated to those affected by the fire at Singer Market. “Isn't it better to prevent disaster than to respond after it occurs? Can you imagine what N8 billion could accomplish for those individuals if the fire hadn’t occurred? That sum could have empowered them instead of merely substituting their losses,” he emphasized.

As the harmattan winds increase, raising the risk of fires, one pressing question remains: How many more alarms will Abuja require?

In Wuse, a fire served as a crucial warning. In Utako and the outskirts of Kado, the trap effectively continues to take shape, stall by stall, day in and day out. Whether it will trigger depends on if the authorities take preventive measures before the next incident sparks.