By Ali Rabiu Ali Jigawa
A fire outbreak has razed a temporary hostel at the College of Health Sciences Jahun, Jigawa state destroying students’ belongings but leaving all occupants alive, authorities have confirmed.
The incident, which occurred on the campus on Tuesday 7th April, 2026, was reportedly caused by a gas cylinder explosion while students were preparing food inside the hostel.
The Jigawa State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Kainuwa, who visited the scene, said the fire was swiftly contained following the intervention of emergency responders.
“We received a report of a fire outbreak involving a temporary hostel used by students. The fire started from a gas cylinder while they were cooking.
“Thankfully, the State Fire Service and the Federal Fire Service responded promptly and were able to contain the situation,” he said.
According to him, no life was lost in the incident, although one female student sustained minor injuries while escaping from the building. She was treated at a hospital and has since been discharged.
While confirming that the fire caused extensive damage, Kainuwa noted that students lost virtually all their personal belongings.
“There was total loss of property, as the students lost almost everything they had in the hostel,” he added.
In response to the incident, the state government, through the Ministry of Humanitarian and Social Services, has provided immediate relief materials to the affected students. The intervention was coordinated with the support of the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Awolu D. Sankara.
Kainuwa disclosed that about 252 wrappers, along with other essential items, had been distributed to the displaced students to cushion the impact of the disaster.
He further explained that efforts were ongoing to assess the extent of the damage, with plans to engage the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency for additional support.
To address the accommodation challenge, the commissioner revealed that the government would temporarily relocate affected students to an alternative facility within the school premises.
“We are preparing an entrepreneurship hall within the female hostel, which will be ready in the next two weeks to accommodate the students,” he said.
He also disclosed that the state government had already commenced the construction of new hostel facilities for both male and female students at the institution, estimated at about N2 billion, although the projects are yet to be completed.
The commissioner assured students and parents of the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and welfare of learners across health institutions in the state.
The incident has raised concerns about safety measures in student hostels, particularly the use of cooking gas in residential facilities. Authorities say further steps will be taken to prevent a recurrence.
