A part of the Senate Building at Ahmadu Bello University’s Samaru Main Campus in Zaria has been engulfed in flames, according to a statement released by the university.
The incident, which occurred on Friday, saw a small room containing an electrical Distribution Board (DB) on the ground floor of the Senate building affected by the fire. Malam Auwalu Umar, the Director of the Public Affairs Directorate of the university, confirmed the occurrence in a statement, stating that the fire ignited at approximately 4:15 pm. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and fortunately, no injuries or casualties have been reported.
The fire reportedly consumed the Distribution Board and some outdated public address systems in the affected room. Umar highlighted the swift response of the university’s firefighters and security personnel, emphasizing that their timely intervention prevented further escalation of the situation. Power has been restored to the building following the incident.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, visited the scene along with other management staff and numerous sympathizers. The university’s management has initiated an investigative team to unravel the circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire.
This incident has raised concerns within the university community, prompting a comprehensive inquiry to ensure the safety and integrity of the Senate Building. The university authorities are committed to providing updates as the investigation progresses.