KAURA-NAMODA – A tragic fire outbreak at an Islamiya school in Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State has claimed the lives of at least 17 Almajiri students, with 16 others sustaining injuries.
The chairperson of the local government, Mannir Haidara, confirmed the incident on Wednesday, stating that full details of the fire would be provided later.
According to a local resident, Abdulrasaq Bello Kaura, the fire erupted on Tuesday night at Mallam Ghali Tsangaya School, raging for about three hours before being brought under control.
Reports indicate that the fire was fuelled by stored corn and millet stalks, commonly known as kara in Hausa, which were kept in the study hall where the students slept.
“It happened at Makaranta Mallam Ghali, inside their study hall. There were about 100 of them in the house. After evacuating some students, they thought none remained inside,” Bello recounted.
“It was when they returned after the fire that they started seeing their legs and hands. They got burnt beyond recognition.”
The 17 deceased students were buried on Wednesday as the community mourned the devastating loss.
Authorities have yet to disclose the cause of the fire, but the incident has sparked calls for stricter safety measures in Islamic boarding schools across the region.
