On Thursday evening, November 21, 2024, a devastating fire tore through a block of classrooms at Limawa Day Secondary School in Minna, Niger State. The blaze, which has left the school reeling, is suspected to have been ignited by a group of young hemp smokers frequenting the school grounds.

According to eyewitness reports, a group of boys has been regularly seen gathering at the school to smoke hemp. Ibrahim Mohammed, a local witness, believes the fire was sparked by a discarded cigarette butt left behind by the group. “These boys come here to smoke weed, and with the dry harmattan winds, everything is more prone to catching fire. Yesterday, they left a burning butt in one of the classrooms, which eventually set off the blaze,” Mohammed explained. He added that he and his colleagues had witnessed the boys smoking at the same location just days before the fire. “We decided to leave quickly to avoid any confrontation, but this fire is a direct result of their careless actions.”

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The school’s principal, Datti Dauda, confirmed the incident and described how he was alerted by a concerned neighbor. “I received a call from the headmaster, who told me that the school was on fire. I immediately contacted the fire service, and they arrived quickly to put out the flames,” Dauda said.

While investigations into the exact cause of the fire are still ongoing, Dauda has ruled out electrical faults, citing the absence of electrical connections in the affected classrooms. He suspects that the fire could have been caused by intruders or locals who often trespass on the school grounds. Dauda estimated the damages at over ₦1.5 million, which includes the destruction of planks and other materials.

A senior official from the Niger State Federal Fire Service commended the swift action of his team, stating that they responded immediately upon receiving the alarm. “We were on the scene in under five minutes and were able to bring the fire under control quickly,” the official reported.

Authorities are urging the local community to remain cautious, especially during the harmattan season, and to report any suspicious activity on school grounds to prevent similar incidents in the future.