A devastating fire tore through a female hostel at the Federal University in Gashua, Yobe State, tragically claiming the life of one student and injuring several others.
The fire ravaged an entire block of 29 rooms where 301 students lived. The Vice-Chancellor, Maimuna Waziri, swiftly responded by ordering the closure of all academic activities at the university until further notice.
In a statement issued by the registrar, Abubakar Mamudo, students were instructed to vacate the campus premises for their safety.
The loss of life, particularly that of Shamsiya Murtala, a 300-level Geography student, deeply saddened the university community.
Three other students who sustained injuries were fortunate to receive treatment and were later discharged from the general hospital in Gashua.
The decision to close the university was not taken lightly. The Vice-Chancellor, along with the senate chairman, made the call due to escalating unrest among the students following the tragic incident.
Expressing heartfelt sympathy to the affected students and their families, the Vice-Chancellor emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire outbreak.
This unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety measures and the need for swift action to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The university community must come together to support those affected and ensure that measures are in place to prevent similar incidents from occurring again.
