BREAKING: 17 Children Reportedly Killed, Burnt Beyond Recognition As Midnight Fire Razes Islamic School; SEE What Caused It
A devastating fire incident occurred at an Islamic school in Kaura- Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, resulting in the tragic loss of 17 Almajiri students. The unfortunate event took place on the night of Tuesday, February 4, and lasted for approximately three hours, leaving not only fatalities but also causing injuries to around 16 other children.
According to reports, the fire originated from locally stored sticks, which quickly ignited and spread throughout the school premises. Abdulrasaq Bello, a resident of the community, shared details about the horrific event. He explained that the fire broke out at Makaranta Mallam Ghali, specifically within the students’ study hall. At the time of the incident, about 100 students were present in the building. However, as rescue efforts were carried out, the rescuers initially believed that all the students had been safely evacuated. It was only after the fire subsided that they discovered some children had been left behind. Their bodies were found severely burned, with only visible traces of limbs such as hands and legs, making them unrecognizable.
The impact of the fire was deeply distressing for the community, as families and local residents mourned the young lives lost. Given the Islamic customs, the 17 deceased children were laid to rest the following day, on Wednesday, February 5, in accordance with religious burial rites. The swift burial was conducted as per Islamic traditions, which emphasize the importance of burying the dead as soon as possible.
While investigations into the cause of the fire are still ongoing, many are urging the government and relevant authorities to take necessary steps to enhance safety regulations in schools, especially in vulnerable areas where fire outbreaks could be catastrophic. Parents and guardians of Almajiri students, who often live in boarding facilities, are now more apprehensive about their children’ s well- being and the general state of security in such environments.
This tragic event has also drawn attention to the overall condition of Islamic schools in Nigeria, where Almajiri students, primarily from poor backgrounds, often face harsh living conditions. Many of these schools operate with minimal infrastructure and limited access to emergency services, making them particularly susceptible to accidents like fires.
As the community of Kaura- Namoda grieves the loss of these young lives, there is hope that authorities will take decisive action to prevent similar incidents. While nothing can bring back the innocent children who perished in the fire, ensuring stricter safety measures and better emergency response systems could help protect other students from such unfortunate disasters in the future.
