By Damilare Adeleye
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Gashua in Yobe State, Maimuna Waziri, has suspended academic activities in the school following a fire incident that ripped through a female hostel, killing one student.
A statement from the school’s registrar Abubakar Mamudo quoted the vice-chancellor as asking all students to vacate the campus premises until further notice.
“A female hostel of the Federal University Gashua, Yobe State was gutted by fire on Saturday, 23rd March 2024 destroying a complete block of 29 rooms accommodating about 301 students,” the Saturday statement read.
“A 300-hundred-level student of the Geography Department by the name Shamsiya Murtala was confirmed dead in the inferno and three other students who sustained injuries were treated and discharged from the general hospital, Gashua.
“The vice-chancellor and chairman of the senate has directed for the immediate closure of the university due to escalating students’ unrest on campus”.
He said the vice-chancellor expressed deep sympathy to the affected students and their families over the unfortunate incident and directed a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire outbreak.
The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA) earlier confirmed the fire incident via its official Facebook Page on Saturday.
The agency also stated that 29 rooms were destroyed in the fire incident.
It added that 301 students were affected, while three students sustained injuries and are receiving medical treatment.
The agency, however, did not disclose the cause of the fire outbreak.
“Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, on behalf of the state Government wishes to sympathize with management, staff and Students of Federal University Gashua over the fire incident which occurred on 23rd March 2024.
“Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) of Bade and Jakusko LGAs who visited the scene and made a spot assessment of casualties and destroyed items of students sadly confirmed the death of 1 female student, 29 rooms completely destroyed, 301 students affected, 3 injured and are receiving treatments.
“The Yobe State Government (YSG) will reach out to the management of FUGA and support the recovery effort of the school,” the post read.