The Northern Senators Forum has expressed profound sorrow over the tragic fire that swept through an Islamic school in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, which claimed the lives of 17 children and left several others injured.
The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has also expressed sadness over the incident, describing it as a grave loss not only to the affected families but also to the entire nation.
The senators extended their deepest condolences to the bereaved families and the wider Zamfara community. In a statement signed by the Chairman of the forum, Sen. Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, the lawmakers called for immediate and decisive action to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
“This is a devastating loss that touches every heart in our region. We stand with the people of Zamfara in this time of grief and urge the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of this fire,” Yar’adua said.
The forum stressed the need for systemic changes in how schools are regulated and managed, urging state Ministries of Education to implement strict supervision and accreditation processes to ensure all educational institutions meet basic safety standards.
“This tragedy must serve as a wake-up call. No school should operate without adhering to stringent safety guidelines. The lives of our children depend on it,” Yar’adua added.
The forum also called on the Zamfara State government to step up support for the affected families, recommending not only financial compensation but also counselling services to help them cope with the loss.
“As we mourn, we pray that Almighty Allah grants eternal rest to the souls of the departed and gives their families the strength to bear this painful loss,” he said.
Also, the CSN has urged the government and relevant stakeholders to urgently enforce stringent safety standards not only in schools but across all sectors of society.
In a statement jointly signed by the Secretary General, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Ayanleke Banjo, and the Director of Social Communications, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh respectively, the CSN decried the recurring loss of lives in the country, often due to preventable causes and inadequate safety measures, adding that this tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to prioritise safety measures nationwide.
It lamented that in many cases, the fire service is either non-existent, non-functional, or ill-equipped to respond effectively to emergencies. The statement added: “At all times, in all places, and by all means, the sacredness of human life must be defended and protected. We, therefore, urgently call on the government and relevant stakeholders to enforce stringent safety standards not only in schools but across all sectors of society.
“It is imperative that we take immediate action to prevent the recurrence of such devastating incidents in the future and ensure that no more lives are lost due to avoidable negligence. We implore the government to prioritise the protection and security of human life in our nation, recognising that every life is sacred and deserves to be safeguarded.”
