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Katsina residents mourn as blaze destroys home, kills couple, three children

Published

4 days ago

December 3, 2025

Muhammad Habibu and his wife, Fatima Muhammad

Katsina residents mourn as blaze destroys home, kills couple, three children

A tragic Katsina fire outbreak in the early hours of Monday has claimed the lives of an entire family of five and destroyed property valued at millions of naira in the Kofar Sauri community of Katsina metropolis.

The victims — 35-year-old Muhammad Habibu, his wife Fatima Muhammad, and their three children, Khadija, Abubakar, and Aliyu — were all burnt to death after flames engulfed their home around 3:00 a.m. Habibu was a casual staff member of the Katsina State Water Board until his death.

Although the exact cause of the fire is yet to be officially confirmed, residents strongly suspect a high-voltage power surge following the restoration of electricity to the area. Witnesses said the fire ignited in the living room before spreading rapidly through the entire building as the family slept, blocking all escape routes.

A relative, Kasim Aliyu, recounted hearing a distant voice reciting Islamic prayers moments before the incident. “I later received a call around 4:00 a.m. informing me that my brother and his entire family had died in the fire. May their souls be admitted into Aljannah Firdausi,” he said.

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Neighbours and first responders made desperate attempts to put out the flames but were unsuccessful. Some residents criticised the Katsina State Fire Service, alleging late response. However, Chief Fire Officer Rabe Audi Kurmuyal refuted the claims, insisting that firefighters extinguished the blaze promptly.

Residents blamed persistent power fluctuations by the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), saying unstable supply and sudden high-voltage surges have caused similar incidents in areas such as Sabuwar Unguwa, Kwamren Dorowa, and Abbatoir. But KEDCO’s Katsina Regional Manager, Aminu Bukari, argued that it was “unlikely for a surge to affect only one house in a community of over 5,000 homes.”

The Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Binta Hussaini Dangani, who visited the scene shortly after the tragedy, described the incident as the will of God. She prayed for the deceased and urged residents to switch off appliances at night and handle fire with caution. SEMA has begun an on-the-spot assessment ahead of providing relief support.

Aliyu lamented the devastating loss and called on authorities to address the recurring disasters linked to power fluctuations in Katsina, which residents say have persisted for nearly a decade due to infrastructure failures and official negligence.

The community has been left in shock as condolences continue to pour in for the victims’ family.

Katsina residents mourn as blaze destroys home, kills couple, three children

Related Topics:children couple fire Katsina

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Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

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December 6, 2025

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Godwin Emefiele

Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has strongly denied allegations linking him to terrorism financing in Nigeria, describing the claims as “mischievous and malicious.”

In a statement released on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Emefiele said the reports were “entirely fabricated, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to malign my name, mislead the public, and sow confusion for motives best known only to the publishers and their sponsors.”

He emphasized that the fight against terrorism is too important to be trivialized by irresponsible reporting, warning that Nigerians deserve accurate information rather than “reckless misinformation.”

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“Throughout my service to the nation and in my private life, at no time have I been involved in any activity remotely connected to terrorism, terrorist financing, or any action that threatens the peace and security of our nation,” Emefiele stated. He added that he has never been invited, questioned, or investigated regarding such allegations and has no connection to the individual cited in the media reports.

“There is no scintilla of truth in the allegation,” he said, urging the public to disregard the claims entirely and calling on media organizations to verify facts before publishing sensational stories.

Emefiele’s statement seeks to reaffirm his reputation and distances him from any activities undermining national security.

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Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

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December 6, 2025

Trends Admin

Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday inaugurated the newly constructed multi-million-naira Juma’at Mosque located within the Emir of Gumel’s Palace in Jigawa State.

According to a statement by Zainab Rabo, Senior Special Assistant on Media Affairs to Governor Umar Namadi, the event drew high-level dignitaries, including top politicians, first-class emirs, captains of industry, and prominent Islamic scholars from across the country.

Rabo disclosed that the mosque was built by the Kashim Shettima Foundation, adding that Governor Umar A. Namadi and the Sultan of Sokoto graced the ceremony.

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During the occasion, the Vice President congratulated the Emir of Gumel, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Sani, on marking 45 years on the throne, describing the milestone as a blessing and testament to exemplary leadership.

Shettima also reaffirmed his commitment—through his foundation—to initiatives that would improve the lives of Nigerians.

The Vice President further commended Governor Namadi for his notable strides in modern agriculture, noting that Jigawa’s progress under his leadership had positioned the state competitively within Nigeria and beyond.

“Governor Namadi is equal to the task, looking at his two-year achievements and the way he transformed Jigawa in modern agriculture,” Shettima stated.

Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

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Police Launch Special Enforcement Team to Enforce Tinubu’s Ban on VIP Escorts

Published

3 hours ago

December 6, 2025

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Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun

Police Launch Special Enforcement Team to Enforce Tinubu’s Ban on VIP Escorts

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has deployed a Special Enforcement Team in Lagos to enforce President Bola Tinubu’s directive ending the use of police officers as escorts and guards for Very Important Persons (VIPs).

The operation, according to a statement posted on the Force’s official X account on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, commenced at about 10:00 a.m. on December 6, 2025, across key locations in Lagos State.

Hundeyin confirmed that the team carried out compliance checks at major points, including the Lekki–Ikoyi Link Bridge, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport domestic terminal, and other strategic hotspots within the state.

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He disclosed that officers found “satisfactory and commendable” compliance with the presidential directive, with no incidents of unauthorised police escort and no arrests recorded.

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reiterates the Force’s commitment to the full implementation of the presidential directive,” the statement said. “The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in redeploying its personnel to core policing duties aimed at enhancing general security, crime prevention, and the protection of lives and property nationwide.”

Hundeyin added that enforcement would continue across the country “without fear or favour,” urging Nigerians to support the push for a more professional and citizen-focused policing system.

President Tinubu had, on November 23, ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers from VIP protection, directing that they be reassigned to frontline policing roles. According to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, VIP protection will now be handled by armed operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The policy aims to free up police manpower for critical security operations, particularly in underserved communities, and enhance overall national security efficiency.