7 Die, 21 Injured As Fire Guts Government Girls Secondary School, Jogana,

At least seven students died, while 21 others were injured
in a night fire at Government Girls Secondary School, Jogana, 20 kilometers
from the city of Kano.

Hospital and school officials confirmed the deaths of the
seven female students, saying their bodies were deposited at Murtala Mohammed
Specialist Hospital.

A source at the school told Premium Times the fire occurred
at the biggest hostel of the school when the students were sleeping, and that
the cause of the fire was still not known.

The Executive Secretary of Secondary Schools Management
Board, Husaini Ganduje, also confirmed death of seven students in the fire,
saying those who sustained injuries were currently receiving treatment.

A statement Sunday night by Usman Bello, the director of
press to the deputy governor, Hafiz Abubakar, said the fire had been put under
control in the night, and the affected students were rushed to hospital.

“Firemen have quenched the fire that broke out at the hostel
of the Government Girls Secondary School Jogana,” the statement said.

“The students were evacuated to their classes and those
affected were rushed to Gezawa and Sir Sanusi Hospital.

“The special adviser to the governor on education Dr. Bakari
Ado Hussaini and management of Kano State Senior Secondary Schools all
mobilized to the school and were coordinating with the state deputy governor and
commissioner of Education Prof. Hafiz Abubakar.

“The commissioner of health has also mobilized health
personnel to attend to the victims of the incident,” the statement added.

Another source at the emergency unit of Murtala Mohammed
Hospital told Premium Times that most of the students died of suffocation and
stampede, not burns.

PREMIUM TIMES