Three Fire Incidents: Sokoto Onion Farmers Lament ₦282m Losses in a Week

By Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto

Onion farmers in Sokoto State have raised alarm over cumulative losses of over ₦282.32 million following three separate fire incidents that gutted traditional storage facilities across key producing communities within one week.

The National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) said the incidents, which occurred in Goronyo, Wamakko and Wurno Local Government Areas, destroyed no fewer than 8,107 bags of onions stored in about 440 facilities.

NOPPMAN National President, Alhaji Aliyu Maitasamu Isa, who briefed journalists at the weekend, described the incidents as a major economic blow, noting that the fires happened in quick succession, raising concerns among farmers.

According to him, the first incident in Kojiyo, Goronyo LGA, affected about 65 storage structures containing roughly 35 bags each, with losses estimated at ₦56.8 million.

He added that another incident followed 48 hours later in Dundaye, Wamakko LGA, where 51 storage facilities were affected, destroying about 612 bags valued at ₦21.4 million.

The third and most severe incident occurred in Duhuwa, Wurno LGA, where 324 storage facilities were razed, leading to the loss of 5,832 bags of onions worth over ₦204 million.

Altogether, the three incidents accounted for total losses of ₦282.32 million within the same week.

Maitasamu said the causes of the fires remain unclear, though their timing has raised suspicions of possible sabotage. He, however, ruled out banditry, noting that none of the incidents bore the typical signs associated with such attacks.

Security agencies have since been notified and are investigating the incidents across the affected areas.

He warned that the losses could have ripple effects on onion supply across Nigeria and beyond, stressing that Sokoto remains the country’s leading onion-producing hub with year-round production capacity.

Describing onion storage as a critical financial buffer for farmers, he said many rely on stored produce as a form of savings to meet essential needs such as medical bills, school fees and family obligations.

The NOPPMAN president appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to urgently support affected farmers.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts to modernise storage systems, revealing that a 1,500-metric-ton capacity facility under construction in More town is expected to be completed by August to help prevent future losses.