A devastating fire outbreak has destroyed large quantities of stored onions in Kojiyo community, located in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, leaving farmers grappling with heavy financial losses estimated at ₦56.8 million.
The fire, which broke out around 2 p.m. on Friday, spread rapidly through approximately 65 traditional onion storage huts constructed from dry grass and stalks. The blaze reportedly burned for nearly seven hours before it was brought under control. Although no casualties were recorded, the destruction has had a severe impact on livelihoods within the community.
Confirming the incident, the National President of the Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria, Aliyu Isah Maitasamu, said each affected hut typically stored about 35 bags of onions.
“A total of 2,275 bags were destroyed, and at an estimated cost of N25,000 per bag, the loss stands at about N56.8 million,” he said.
Maitasamu explained that the association has repeatedly warned farmers about the fire risks associated with traditional storage methods, noting that the dry materials used in constructing the huts make them highly vulnerable.
“We are still investigating to determine the cause of the fire,” he stated.
Despite concerns over potential market impact, he dismissed fears of a sharp rise in onion prices, saying the quantity lost is not large enough to significantly disrupt supply.
“This will not necessarily lead to an increase in onion prices because the quantity is not enough to cause that,” he said.
For the affected farmers, however, the consequences are immediate and severe. Many rely on stored onions as both a source of income and food security.
One farmer, Alhaji Abdullahi S. Rima, who lost about 210 bags, said, “It is a huge loss for me. Everything I stored in the place has been burnt.”
Another farmer, Nura Arzika Magaji, who lost 70 bags, expressed concern about survival: “We usually sell gradually to take care of our families, but now everything is gone. We currently don’t have what to eat.”
Ashafa Muhammad, who lost 35 bags, added, “We are in mourning because it destroyed everything we relied on. We believe it is the will of Allah.”
A security guard at the facility, Abubakar Maigadi, also recounted his experience during the incident.
“I woke up to the sound of the fire. I don’t know what caused it. I also lost my clothes and other valuables in my hut.”
The village head of Kojiyo, Muhammadu Sani Sarkin Rima, said the fire has left many households in dire conditions.
“Some families now have nothing to eat because what they depended on has been destroyed. Each hut contained between 35 and 38 bags of onions,” he said.
He called for urgent assistance from authorities and humanitarian agencies.
Maitasamu also appealed to relevant agencies, including the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to provide relief support and help affected farmers recover.
“We are appealing to the government and intervention agencies to assist these farmers so they can return to farming in the next season,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of SEMA, Abdullahi Ghani, said the agency had yet to receive an official report of the incident.
“We are not aware, but if there is any report from the local government, SEMA will carry out an assessment,” he noted.
Residents have expressed concern that the destruction could disrupt local supply if farmers are unable to recover in time for the next planting season.
