A block of classrooms at Limawa Day Secondary School in Minna, Niger State, was engulfed in flames on Thursday evening, causing an estimated ₦1.5 million in damage.
According to eyewitnesses, Ibrahim Mohammed, the fire was sparked by a group of suspected hemp smokers who frequently gathered in the school premises.
“These boys always come here to smoke weed, and with this harmattan season, things catch fire easily.
“Yesterday, they dropped a burning butt in one of the classrooms, which eventually ignited the fire,” Mohammed said.
“The other day, some colleagues and I were here for a programme, and we saw these boys smoking. When we were leaving, we moved in a group to avoid any confrontation with them. This fire outbreak must have been caused by their reckless actions,” he added.
The fire was quickly brought under control by firefighters from the Niger State Federal Fire Service, who responded promptly to the distress call.
The school principal, Datti Dauda, confirmed the incident, stating that he was alerted by a neighbor and immediately contacted the fire service.
While the exact cause of the fire remains unclear, Dauda suspected that the blaze may have been caused by intruders or neighbors, as the school premises are often encroached upon.
However, eyewitnesses pointed to the group of suspected hemp smokers, who were seen dropping a burning butt in one of the classrooms.
“I received a call from our neighbour, the headmaster, who told me that the school was on fire. I immediately contacted the fire service, and they responded promptly to extinguish the flames.
“There are no electrical connections to that part of the building. My suspicion is that the fire may have been caused by some of the neighbours or intruders, as the school premises are encroached upon,” he said.
Dauda estimated the damage at over ₦1.5 million, considering the cost of repairing the destroyed planks and other materials.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of the school premises, particularly during the harmattan season when fires can spread quickly.
The authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Niger State Federal Fire Service has commended the swift response of its team, which arrived at the scene in less than five minutes to extinguish the flames.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety and prevention, particularly in public institutions.