17 children killed, 16 injured in fire at Islamic school in Nigeria

|Published 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday February 5, 2025|

Zamfara State, Nigeria: A tragic incident occurred on the night of February 4, 2025, in Kaura-Namoda, Zamfara State, Nigeria, where a fire at the Makaranta Mallam Ghali Islamic boarding school claimed the lives of 17 children and injured 16 others. The blaze started around 11:30 p.m. local time and lasted nearly three hours. The affected children were between the ages of 15 and 17. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Eyewitnesses reported that the fire broke out while the students were sleeping, making it difficult for them to escape. Over 100 students were present in the hostel at the time of the incident. The bodies of the 17 students were burned beyond recognition, and the injured have been taken to local health centers for treatment.

Local authorities, including Mannir Muazu Haidara, the executive chairman of Kaura-Namoda Local Government, have confirmed the incident and stated that thorough investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.

This tragedy underscores the critical need for improved safety measures in educational institutions, particularly those providing boarding facilities. Ensuring the safety of students is paramount, and proactive steps must be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.