Our reporter
The Hamid Ahmed Medical Library at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, UDUTH, was gutted by fire in the early hours of today. The facility serves as a major reading and study center for medical students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, UDUS.
According to details gathered, the fire broke out before 5:24 a.m. By the time the blaze was reported, it had already affected large sections of the library building, raising concern over books, journals, computers, and other learning materials.
An eyewitness at the scene confirmed that firefighters arrived at approximately 5:25 a.m. and worked to contain the flames. “They came in fast, within a minute of the time we called. It would have been worse if they delayed,” the eyewitness said.
Speaking to reporters at the scene, the eyewitness described the panic among students and staff who were nearby. “The smoke was heavy and you could see flames from the windows. We were shouting for help and trying to move some things out, but the heat was too much. We thought we’d lose everything inside,” the witness recounted.
The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof. Zayyanu Umar Usman, arrived at the scene about 15 minutes later to inspect the damage. His presence, according to students, helped calm tension and coordinate with hospital and university security.
While firefighters brought the situation under control, the full extent of the damage to books, furniture, ICT equipment, and study spaces has not yet been quantified. The library is a critical hub for clinical and pre-clinical medical students preparing for exams and research.
As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire remains unknown. Authorities are yet to issue an official statement, and no injuries have been confirmed by hospital management.
Medical students expressed shock over the incident, noting that the library was often filled late at night during test periods. Many are now waiting for UDUTH and UDUS management to announce recovery plans, alternative study spaces, and the next steps for salvaging materials.
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