A devastating fire that broke out on Tuesday night in Namoda Township, Zamfara State, has claimed the lives of 17 almajiris, leaving the community in mourning. The victims were buried following a solemn funeral held in the town.
The fire, which started in a house adjacent to the almajiri boarding school, quickly spread to their residence, trapping the children inside. Several others sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
A witness, Yahaya Mahi, described the chaotic scene, explaining that the fire was initially extinguished, but reignited moments later. “It started again right at the entrance where the almajiris were, which blocked their exit,” Mahi said.
He confirmed that 17 children lost their lives, while 12 others suffered injuries.
One grieving parent, speaking to the BBC, expressed sorrow over the tragedy. “We left it to God. We were heartbroken when we heard the news, but we pray that such incidents do not happen again.”
The incident has sparked concerns over safety measures in informal boarding schools, with calls for urgent action to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
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