Investigations reporter in Kano
Four Almajiri students have died in Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State after they were suspected to have eaten contaminated food. The incident has drawn attention to the welfare and safety of students in Tsangaya schools across the state.
The deceased were pupils of Tsangayar Malam Iliyasu Mai Tsangaya, located in the Kadage Sharifai area within Ungogo LGA. They were said to be undergoing Qur’anic studies at the school at the time of the incident.
The news was made public by Alaramma Sani Musa Nuhu, the Chairman of the Association of Tsangaya Media Outlets. He released a statement to journalists in Kano confirming the deaths and providing details of what happened.
According to the statement, the students suddenly fell ill shortly after eating a meal that is suspected to have been poisoned. Family members and teachers reportedly noticed their condition worsening quickly and decided to take action.
The sick students were rushed to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, AKTH, for urgent medical attention. Doctors and medical staff attended to them on arrival, hoping to stabilize their condition.
Despite the efforts, the statement said all four students died at the hospital on the night of Sunday, August 16, 2026. Their deaths occurred within hours of being admitted for treatment.
Key details about the case remain unclear. The statement did not mention what kind of food the students ate, and it did not specify the substance suspected to have caused the poisoning. It also did not say whether other students who ate the same meal fell ill.
Funeral prayers for the four boys were held after approval was given by the District Head of the area and the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ungogo. Following the prayers, the bodies were buried in line with Islamic rites.
As of the time of this report, the exact cause of the deaths has not been officially confirmed. It is also not clear whether relevant authorities have launched a formal investigation into the suspected food poisoning. Community members are now calling for answers and for measures to prevent a similar tragedy.
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