A fire outbreak at an Islamic 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 fire, which broke out late Tuesday night, raged for about three hours, leaving devastating destruction in its wake. Eyewitnesses said the blaze originated from stored sticks, locally known as kara, within the school premises.
A resident, Abdulrasaq Bello Kaura, told Channels Television that the incident occurred at Makaranta Mallam Ghali inside the school’s study hall. He recounted that there were about 100 students in the building at the time, and while many were evacuated, it was only after the fire subsided that the remains of the victims were discovered.
“They thought all the students had been safely removed, but after the fire, they began seeing legs and hands. The victims were burnt beyond recognition,” he said.
The 17 deceased students were buried on Wednesday.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Kaura-Namoda Local Government, Comrade Mannir Muazu Haidara, said he was on his way to the scene and would provide further details later.
