A fire erupted at Sokoto State’s Jarma UK Academy, prompting an urgent visit by government officials to assess damages.
Secretary to the State Government Muhammad Bello Sifawa led the delegation, joined by Chief of Staff Aminu Haliru Dikko and Attorney-General Nasiru Mohammed Binji.
Flames engulfed student hostels, administrative offices, a computer lab, and staff rooms, destroying personal belongings like clothing and mattresses.
Investigators have yet to determine the cause, though no injuries or fatalities occurred during the blaze.
Sifawa expressed the government’s sympathy, thanking God for sparing lives while acknowledging the emotional toll on students and staff.
He praised the academy’s unique mission, blending secular education with Islamic teachings for vulnerable youth.
Founded in 2018 by philanthropist Alhaji Ummarun Kwabo, the school hosts 176 students, many orphaned by Boko Haram violence in Borno and Yobe.
Its curriculum emphasizes entrepreneurship, equipping pupils with skills for self-reliance amid displacement trauma.
Following the visit, officials pledged swift support to repair infrastructure and replace lost items.
“We stand with Jarma UK to restore normalcy,” Sifawa assured, stressing the state’s duty to protect educational havens.
Meanwhile, fire safety experts will probe the incident, aiming to prevent future tragedies.
Parents and guardians voiced distress over destroyed belongings, urging quicker emergency responses for rural institutions.
The academy symbolizes resilience, offering displaced children stability through education despite funding challenges.
Many students, orphaned by insurgency, now face renewed uncertainty after losing their few possessions.
Community leaders applauded the government’s swift response but called for long-term solutions, including fireproofing schools and training staff in disaster management.
“Prevention matters as much as recovery,” noted a local educator.
Alhaji Ummarun Kwabo, the founder, reiterated his commitment to rebuilding, appealing for public donations.
“These children deserve safety and hope,” he said, highlighting the academy’s role in countering extremism through education.
Teachers described scrambling to evacuate students as smoke filled dormitories, crediting fire drills for averting chaos.
“We lost materials, but not a single life,” one instructor emphasized.
The state’s intervention includes temporary relocation plans while repairs proceed, ensuring minimal disruption to exams and vocational programs.
Psychosocial support will also help students cope with trauma.
Sokoto’s government faces growing pressure to audit safety standards statewide, particularly in remote schools serving high-risk populations.
Advocates argue underfunded institutions need grants for fire extinguishers and alarms.
Jarma UK’s hybrid model—merging Western and Islamic education—has drawn national praise, offering a blueprint for rehabilitating conflict-affected youth.
Its emphasis on trades like tailoring and carpentry fosters economic independence.
As rebuilding begins, students voiced determination to continue studies despite setbacks. “Our uniforms are gone, but not our dreams,” said a 14-year-old orphan.
The incident underscores vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s educational infrastructure, especially in regions grappling with insecurity.
Proactive measures, stakeholders argue, could shield schools from becoming collateral damage in crises.
For now, solidarity fuels recovery efforts, with the government and community uniting to safeguard Jarma UK’s legacy.
Its classrooms, though scarred, remain a testament to resilience and collective hope.