Traders at Katsina’s Fadima Baika Central Market have raised alarm over the risk of another catastrophic fire outbreak, which they fear could be more severe than the one that ravaged the market three years ago. In an interview with *Katsina Times*, several traders accused market officials of unjustly reallocating shops, which they claim has left them vulnerable and sidelined.

Representatives of the aggrieved traders, including Ismail Tijjani, Bishir Mamman Remawa, Danzaki Ikon Allah, and Malam Ahamed Rufa’i, spoke on behalf of over 50 traders. They claimed their rightful shops within the Central Market were unjustly seized and replaced with less desirable locations.

"During the previous administration, we pleaded with Governor Aminu Bello Masari to allow us rebuild our shops ourselves to avoid such problems. The governor listened to our concerns, promised that the government would reconstruct the shops, and assured us that everyone would get their shop back. That was done, and we’ve spent over a year and a half in the new shops. But now, driven by personal interests, we’ve been abruptly moved from our prime locations to the market’s back alleys," lamented Bishir Remawa.

Remawa, who has conducted business in the market for over 22 years and employs more than five workers, expressed frustration over the decision. He revealed that the new market management, working in collusion with external parties, sent him a notice informing him that his shop had been relocated.

Ismail Tijjani echoed these sentiments, describing the decision as a grave injustice. He warned that if the government fails to intervene swiftly, a major conflict could erupt between traders, leading to chaos in the Central Market. Tijjani urged Governor Malam Dikko Umar Radda to take immediate action to prevent further escalation.

Meanwhile, Danzaki Ikon Allah compared the loss of his shop to losing his livelihood entirely. He vowed to defend his property with his life, likening the situation to self-defense in the face of kidnappers. He alleged that tensions between the market’s new and former leadership were behind the unfair treatment of traders loyal to the previous administration.

The traders further revealed that many lost their lives or property in the last fire outbreak, and after the market was rebuilt, wealthy outsiders were allocated their shops while long-standing traders were left with nothing. They accused the new market management of plotting for personal gain, accepting bribes from outsiders, and hiding behind claims that the new government had restructured shop allocations. According to the traders, shops valued at ₦10 million were confiscated and replaced with ones worth less than ₦2 million.

Efforts to contact the market's chairman, Malam Usman Shehu Koza, were unsuccessful. His phone remained switched off, and as of the time of this report, he had not responded to a message sent to him.