HEMP SMOKERS BLAMED FOR FIRE THAT DESTROYED CLASSROOMS AT NIGER SCHOOL. (PHOTO).

 Hemp Smokers Blamed for Fire that Destroyed Classrooms at Niger School

On the evening of Thursday, November 21, 2024, a block of classrooms at Limawa Day Secondary School in Minna, Niger State, was destroyed by fire. The blaze is suspected to have been caused by a group of hemp smokers.

Firefighters from the Niger State Federal Fire Service quickly arrived at the scene and managed to control the flames. Eyewitnesses reported that a group of young boys frequently gathered on the school grounds to smoke hemp. Ibrahim Mohammed, an eyewitness, explained that the fire was likely sparked by a burning cigarette butt discarded by the group.

“These boys regularly come here to smoke weed, and with the harmattan season, things catch fire easily. Yesterday, they left a burning butt in one of the classrooms, which eventually ignited the fire,” Mohammed said. He added, “Just the other day, some colleagues and I were here for a program and saw these boys smoking. We left in a group to avoid any confrontation. This fire is a result of their reckless actions.”

School principal Datti Dauda confirmed the incident, stating that he was notified by a neighbor. “I received a call from the headmaster, who informed me that the school was on fire. I immediately contacted the fire service, and they responded quickly to put out the flames,” Dauda explained.

While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, Dauda ruled out electrical faults, noting there were no electrical connections in the affected building. “My suspicion is that the fire may have been caused by some of the neighbors or intruders, as the school premises are often encroached upon,” he said. Dauda estimated the damage at over ₦1.5 million due to the destruction of planks and other materials.

A senior fire service official praised the swift response of his team, stating, “One of our officers raised the alarm, and we deployed immediately. It took us less than five minutes to arrive at the scene and extinguish the fire.”

Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant, particularly during the harmattan season, to prevent future incidents of this nature.