Fire breaks out at school in northern Nigeria, killing at least 17 children

A fire at an Islamic school in northwestern Nigeria killed at least 17 children and injured 17 others. About 100 children were at the school when the fire broke out in the Kaura Namoda district of Zamfara state. Preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by a stockpile of sticks used for oral hygiene. President Bola Tinubu expressed condolences and urged schools to prioritize safety. The government had previously failed to enforce safety measures despite a 2014 initiative.