Fire destroys 2,275 bags of onions worth N56.8m in Sokoto

Farmers in the Kojiyo community of Goronyo Local Government Area, Sokoto State, are facing immense hardship after a catastrophic fire destroyed an estimated 2,275 bags of onions, amounting to a loss of N56.8 million. The blaze, which consumed about 65 traditional storage huts constructed from dry grass and stalks, raged for nearly seven hours, plunging the community into distress.

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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.

Aliyu Isah Maitasamu, National President of the Nigerian Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria, confirmed the staggering scale of the loss. He explained that each hut typically stored around 35 bags, and the total destruction represents a significant blow to the livelihoods of the affected farmers. While the association has previously cautioned farmers about fire prevention, the exact cause of this particular outbreak is still under investigation.

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It is a huge loss for me. Everything I stored in the place has been burnt.

Despite the severity of the loss for individual farmers, Maitasamu sought to reassure the market, stating that the quantity of onions destroyed is not substantial enough to trigger a significant price hike. However, affected farmers paint a grim picture of their immediate future. Farmers like Alhaji Abdullahi S. Rima, who lost 210 bags, and Nura Arzika Magaji, who lost 70 bags, expressed fears about their ability to sustain their families, lamenting the loss of their primary source of income and sustenance.

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We usually sell gradually to take care of our families, but now everything is gone. We currently don’t have what to eat.

The village head of Kojiyo, Muhammadu Sani Sarkin Rima, appealed for urgent intervention from government authorities and relief agencies, emphasizing that many households are now facing food insecurity. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by agricultural communities, particularly concerning storage and the devastating impact of unforeseen events like fires, highlighting the need for better support systems and disaster preparedness.

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We are in mourning because it destroyed everything we relied on. We believe it is the will of Allah.