A heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded in Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Nigeria, when a devastating fire tore through an Islamic school, leaving 17 Almajiri students dead and many others injured. The blaze, which started on the night of Tuesday, February 4, ravaged the school for nearly three hours, sparking chaos and panic as students were trapped in their study hall.
The fire is reported to have originated from a pile of stored sticks before rapidly engulfing Makaranta Mallam Ghali’s study hall, where approximately 100 students were gathered. According to Abdulrasaq Bello, a local resident, “They thought they had evacuated everyone, but after the fire subsided, they found legs and hands burnt beyond recognition.”
The tragedy, which left the community in shock and mourning, saw the 17 deceased students buried in accordance with Islamic rites on Wednesday, February 5. The horrific scenes of devastation have sparked widespread concerns over the safety standards in religious schools, particularly those catering to vulnerable children.
As survivors and grieving families call for urgent measures to prevent such a calamity from happening again, local authorities have been scrambling to understand the full extent of the disaster. While several injured students have been rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment, the immediate cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Mannir Haidara, the Chairman of Kaura-Namoda Local Government, confirmed the tragedy and assured the public that he was on his way to the site to provide further details. “I will give more information after assessing the situation,” Haidara stated.
Eyewitnesses have described the fire as incredibly intense, noting that the rapid spread made it nearly impossible for those at the school to contain it. According to Zagazola Makama, a source familiar with the incident, “The fire was so intense that even local emergency responders struggled to control it in time, leaving many pupils trapped and injured.”
As this devastating event continues to unfold, the Zamfara State Police are looking into the incident, with ASP Yazid Abubakar stating, “Let me confirm with the DPO, I will get back to you.”
This tragedy has ignited urgent conversations about the need for tighter safety measures in schools, especially in religious institutions, and has left many questioning the preparedness of such schools for emergencies.
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