At least 17 Almajiri students tragically lost their lives in a devastating fire at an Islamic school in the Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State on Tuesday night. The fire, which raged for approximately three hours, also left 16 others injured, sparking widespread grief and concern in the community.
The fire reportedly began while the children were asleep in their dormitory at Makaranta Mallam Ghali, an Islamic school known for educating Almajiri students.
The blaze quickly spread throughout the study hall, consuming everything in its path. Abdulrasaq Bello Kaura, a local resident who spoke to Channels TV, explained that the fire was triggered by some stored sticks, locally known as “kara.”
“It happened at Makaranta Mallam Ghali, inside their study hall. There are about 100 of them in the house. After they evacuated the students, they thought none of them remained inside. It was when they returned after the fire that they started finding their legs and hands, burnt beyond recognition,” Kaura said.
His account paints a grim picture of the chaotic and desperate moments following the fire’s eruption. The tragedy unfolded late at night, when many of the students were asleep, unaware of the danger that loomed.
The swift spread of the flames made it nearly impossible for the children to escape in time, leading to the heart-wrenching loss of life.
The fire’s intensity caused severe burns, leaving the victims with injuries so severe that they were unrecognizable by the time emergency services arrived.
As news of the disaster spread, the local community was left in mourning. The 17 students who died in the fire were buried on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
The funeral, held shortly after the tragedy, was attended by numerous local residents, marking the solemn end to a night that had claimed the lives of innocent children.
Comrade Mannir Muazu Haidara, the Chairman of Kaura-Namoda Local Government, confirmed the incident, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of the young lives.
Local authorities have since begun investigating the cause of the fire, while community leaders have called for improved safety measures in schools across the region to prevent future tragedies.
The Islamic school, which primarily serves the Almajiri children—often from economically disadvantaged families—has been at the center of this heartbreaking incident.
Local residents have expressed their sympathy for the families affected, with many urging the government to provide support and assistance for the injured students and their families.
This incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for greater attention to the safety standards in schools, particularly those that house vulnerable children.
The community remains in shock as they come to terms with the enormity of the loss and await further updates from the ongoing investigations.
In the wake of the tragedy, there have been calls for greater awareness and measures to prevent such incidents in the future, with an emphasis on fire safety and the provision of adequate resources for schools serving underprivileged children.
