On Friday, 2nd December, one of the private hostels in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Benjee Hostel was gutted by fire around 2:00pm.
No less than 32 rooms were affected and burned to ashes, The News Digest Press can confirm.
The sad incident was said to have happened when most of the student occupants in the hostel had gone to observe Friday Muslims congregational prayers.
In an interview with Abayomi Amos, a 200-level student of Political Science and an eye witness to the incident, told the News Digest Press that the fire started from number 409 and extended to the other rooms in the building.
“The fire started from room 409, and later penetrated the remaining 35 rooms,” Amos said.
Speaking with one of the victims, Abdulquadri Ridwanullahi, a 200 level student from department of Arabic who lives in room 407 stated that: “I left my room for Jum’at in good condition not knowing I will come back seeing my room burned to ashes”.
“All my credentials, clothes, food and other valuable things were burned to ashes. The only thing I have now is the clothes I wore to perform prayers,” he added.
Another victim who chose to be anonymous on his own part said,” I received a phone call from my friend telling me my room is on fire. Suddenly, I lost my consciousness. I had no choice but to run down to the hostel from Jum’at since the bike men were not available”.
“On reaching my room I realized all my belongings were burned to ashes”.
“We urge the school management and Students’ Union to provide a place for us to stay”, he added.
According to a report released by Ad-daleel Press board, the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto has solicited accommodation from the school management for the affected students.
It was gathered that the affected students were to write their names with the society (MSSN) to converge them to Bakassi Hostel.
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