Photo: Mourners carrying the caskets of the victims of the Sokoto fire during the funeral ceremony.
By Our Reporter
The Sokoto State Government has extended its condolences to the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Muhammadu Bello Sifawa, following the devastating loss of his daughter, three grandchildren, and their maid in a midnight fire.
The tragedy occurred at approximately 3:00 a.m. on Monday, when the fire claimed the lives of Rabi’atu Bello Sifawa, the daughter of the Secretary to the State Government, along with her children – Fatimatu Bello Yusuf, Maryam Bello Yusuf, and Abubakar Sadik Bello Yusuf – as well as their house help, Aishatu Muhammad.
The fire, which broke out in the early hours of the morning, completely engulfed the family’s six-bedroom apartment while they were sleeping. The state fire service was unable to salvage any items from the house as the blaze had already consumed it by the time they arrived.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with fire service personnel battling the flames for hours before managing to bring it under control.
Sambo Bello Danchadi, the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, described the incident as a tragic loss for both the state and its citizens.
“The Sokoto State Government and the entire populace mourn the loss of these children and their mother. It is truly a heartbreaking tragedy,” he said. “We offer our deepest condolences to the Secretary to the State Government and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youths and Sports, who is the family’s primary breadwinner. We pray that Allah forgives the deceased and grants them all Aljannah Fridaus.”
The funeral prayer for the victims was held in Sifawa town, Bodinga Local Government Area. Among those present at the ceremony were the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Idris Muhammed Gobir; the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Tukur Bala Bodinga; the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi; representatives of Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko; the State Chief Judge, Justice Saidu Sifawa; Grand Khadi Shuaibu Sodangi Achida; Chief of Staff to the Government House, Aminu Haliru Dikko; members of the legislature; commissioners; and Special Advisers.
The remains of the deceased were laid to rest at the Sheikh Shehu Usmanu Danfodiyo Mosque in Sifawa, the family’s home in Sokoto State.