Biu, Borno State—In a heart-wrenching incident that has sent shockwaves throughout the Biu community and beyond, the Vice Principal of Dugja Bayan Tasha Junior Secondary School, Mallam Aliyu Mohammed, along with his wife and three children, lost their lives in a devastating house fire on Sunday, February 2, 2025.
The tragic event unfolded in the early hours of the morning at their residence located behind the motor park in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State. According to sources gathered by Hobnob News, the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined at the time of this report. However, initial speculations suggest that an electrical fault may have triggered the inferno.
Eyewitnesses and neighbors reported that the fire began in the sitting room and rapidly spread throughout the house. Despite valiant efforts by Mallam Mohammed and his wife to rescue their children and themselves, all escape routes were quickly engulfed in flames, leaving the family trapped inside. The intensity of the blaze made any rescue attempts impossible.
The remains of Mallam Mohammed, his wife, and their three children were laid to rest on Sunday in accordance with Islamic rites, drawing a large turnout from grieving community members, friends, and colleagues who came to pay their last respects.
The tragic loss has elicited an outpouring of condolences from various associations, educational bodies, and individuals who took to social media platforms to express their sorrow and solidarity with the bereaved extended family and the Biu community.
In a statement issued by the Southern Borno Progressive Union, the organization conveyed its deep sympathy: “We extend our heartfelt condolences on the tragic passing of Aliyu Mohammed, Vice Principal of Dugja Bayan Tasha Junior Secondary School, and his entire family due to the devastating fire outbreak. This is a heartbreaking loss for the community and a significant blow to the education sector in Borno State, where his selfless service and dedication have greatly contributed to educational development.”
Similarly, the Biu Forum, in a condolence message signed by its Secretary General, Bukar Umar Tashkalma, expressed profound grief over the incident. “The Biu Forum is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Aliyu Mohammed (Danasabe) and his entire family of five, who perished in the devastating fire that engulfed their residence in Biu. This incident marks an irreparable loss to both the local community and the educational sector of our region,” the statement read.
The local government and emergency response authorities are reportedly investigating the cause of the fire to prevent such future occurrences. Meanwhile, the Biu community continues to mourn the loss of a dedicated educator whose commitment to fostering academic excellence left a lasting impact on many students and colleagues.
