By Gabriella Ogbu
A fire broke out on Thursday evening at Limawa Day Secondary School in Minna, Niger State, destroying a block of classrooms.
The blaze is suspected to have been caused by hemp smokers who frequent the school premises, although it was quickly contained by firefighters from the Niger State Federal Fire Service.
Eyewitnesses reported that a group of young boys often gathered on the school grounds to smoke hemp.
One witness, Ibrahim Mohammed, suggested that the fire likely started when a burning cigarette butt discarded by the smokers ignited the classroom.
He also noted the heightened fire risk during the harmattan season, when dry conditions make fires spread more easily.
The school principal, Datti Dauda, confirmed the incident, explaining that he was alerted by a neighbor.
He immediately contacted the fire service, which responded promptly and extinguished the flames.
Dauda clarified that the fire was not caused by electrical faults, as there were no electrical connections in the affected part of the building.
He speculated that the fire might have been set by intruders or neighbors, as the school premises have been encroached upon.
Dauda estimated the damage at over ₦1.5 million, citing the destruction of building materials such as planks.
A senior fire service official praised the swift response of the team, noting that they arrived within five minutes of the alarm being raised.
Authorities have urged the community to remain vigilant, especially during the harmattan season, to prevent future fire outbreaks.