Tinubu, others mourns as fire outbreak killed pupils in Zamfara

President Bola Tinubu has joined Nigerians to send heartfelt condolences to parents, guardians, and families who lost loved ones in a fire outbreak that stretched into an Islamic school in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, on Tuesday night.

It was reported that no fewer than seventeen Almajiri students lost their lives in a fire incident which occurred in the Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, at an Islamiya school.

The fire which started late on Tuesday night and raged for about three hours left 17 others injured. A resident of the area, Abdulrasaq Kaura, told Channels TV that the fire was reportedly caused by stored sticks, locally known as “Kara.”
The President in a statement released on Wednesday commiserated with the state government and owners of the school and prayed for the quick recovery of those receiving medical attention.  

He enjoined all public and private schools to prioritise children’s safety and security at all times and directed regulatory authorities in the education sector to ensure compliance with safety standards.
 
The President prayed that God Almighty will grant eternal rest to the souls of the departed and comfort to their loved ones.

The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar on X said he’s devastated by the news of the tragic fire incident that claimed the precious lives of 17 students at the Makarantar Mallam Ghali Almajiri School in Zamfara State.
Atiku who was grieved that the youngsters lost their lives in the process of getting an education against all odds said his thoughts and prayers are with the families of all deceased children.

He extended his deepest condolences to the families, the students and staff of the Almajiri School, and the government and people of Zamfara State. “May they be granted Aljannah Firdaus”, Atiku prayed.

Peter Obi, 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate on X said this fire incident in Zamfara, which claimed children lives, leaving many others injured, is deeply tragic, and remains one of devastating loss that no parent, community, or nation should ever have to endure.

According to him, “My thoughts and prayers go to the immediate families, the Zamfara State government who have lost their loved ones and those currently receiving treatment.
“This painful incident reinforces the urgent need to install safety measures in our schools. The state government must demand a thorough investigation into the cause of this fire and ensure that such a disaster never happens again”.

Obi noted that as a nation, Nigerians cannot continue to lose their children, the very future of the country to preventable tragedies. “Our children in Nigeria deserve to learn in a good and secure environment”.

He, therefore, appealed to both federal and state authorities to strengthen school infrastructure, enforce safety regulations, and invest in emergency response systems.

Peter Obi prayed that the souls of the departed children rest in peace, “and also may this tragedy and pain reinforce our resolve to build a safer Nigeria that is possible”, he said.