At least 17 children were killed, and so much more were severely burned when a fire dormitory broke out in the northwestern Nigeria, as police and local authorities reported.

The tragedy occurred on Tuesday night to Wednesday at the premises of an informal Islamic school in Kaoura Namonda, in the state of Zamphara, said police spokesman Yazid Abubakar.

The causes of the fire have not yet been clarified.

According to the headmaster, Aligio Abubaka Khalifa, about 100 students aged 10 to 16 were sleeping on the dormitory who wrapped in flames around 2 in the morning.

“We sent the kids to sleep but at about 2 I heard screams. I ran out and saw the dormitory burning and students trying to escape. We missed 17 students and another 17 are in the hospital with burns, “the manager added.

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinoumbu conquered parents and teachers and invited all schools, public and privately, to put students’ safety as their priority and to observe security rules.

Unofficial Islamic schools have multiplied in northern Nigeria, where the majority of residents are Muslims. Students live virtually from alms or by making various chores.

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