Tragedy struck Dutse, Jigawa State, on Tuesday as two separate fire incidents claimed the lives of two children and destroyed property worth several thousands of naira.
The Jigawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps confirmed the incidents in a statement on Thursday, describing the loss of the children as devastating.
According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASC Badruddeen Tijjani Mahmud, the first incident occurred in the early hours of March 17 at about 4:00 a.m. at Layin Dabinai, near Masallacin Malam Babba in Dutse.
Mahmud said the fire, the cause of which is yet to be determined, spread rapidly and engulfed a room where two children—aged two and six—were sleeping.
The victims, identified as children of Aminuddeen Abubakar, a staff member of the Federal University, Dutse, were trapped in the blaze and could not be rescued despite efforts by emergency responders.
“The children were confirmed dead at the scene,” the statement said, adding that the fire had already spread beyond control before help arrived.
In a separate incident on March 19 at about 12 noon, another fire outbreak was recorded in the same Gida Dubu area of Dutse.
Preliminary findings indicated that the second fire was triggered by an electrical fault in the kitchen of a resident, Nura Garba, popularly known as Dangwan Gwan.
The fire quickly spread to adjoining buildings, affecting the properties of Mu’azu Garba and Mohammed Aliyu, also known as Jaujen Hadejia. Parts of the affected houses, including kitchens and roofing materials, were destroyed.
Unlike the first incident, no lives were lost in the second fire, as firefighters responded promptly and contained the blaze before it escalated further.
The NSCDC said investigations would be conducted to determine the exact cause of both incidents and to prevent future occurrences.
Expressing condolences, the Command sympathised with the bereaved family and all those affected by the disasters, describing the incident as unfortunate and avoidable.
It also urged residents to be more vigilant and adhere strictly to fire safety measures, particularly in the use of electrical appliances and open flames.
The Corps reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across Jigawa State, while calling for increased awareness on fire prevention among residents.
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