At least 17 almajiri students have died in a devastating fire that engulfed an Islamic school in the Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The fire, which broke out late Tuesday night, raged for about three hours, leaving 16 others injured.
According to Abdulrasaq Kaura, a resident of the area, the fire reportedly started from stored sticks, locally known as ‘kara’, which were kept in the school.
“It happened at Makaranta Mallam Ghali, inside their study hall. There were about 100 students inside the building. After evacuating some, they thought no one was left inside. But when they returned after the fire, they started seeing hands and legs of students who had been burned beyond recognition,” Kaura said.
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He added that the deceased students were buried on Wednesday according to Islamic rites.
Chairman of Kaura-Namoda Local Government, Mannir Haidara, confirmed the incident but stated that he was on his way to the scene and would provide more details later.
Similarly, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Zamfara State Police Command, Yazid Abubakar, also confirmed the tragedy in a statement.
Abubakar noted that 17 students lost their lives, while another 17 are currently receiving treatment for various injuries sustained in the inferno.
