Father, Daughter Perish in Minna Fire Outbreak

A father and his young daughter have died in Minna, Niger State, as a result of a severe fire that engulfed their home.

The devastating incident took place in the early hours of March 2, 2026, at a residence within the St. Andrew Anglican Church premises in the Sabon Gari area of Minna.

Ikechukwu Michael Njoku, aged 45, succumbed to extensive burn injuries on March 16, after he reportedly sustained them while attempting to rescue his daughter from the flames.

His six-year-old daughter, Esther, passed away at the scene. The father's wife and their three other children were critically injured in the fire and are currently receiving treatment at the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna.

The burial for the father and daughter is scheduled to take place on March 27, 2026, in their hometown of Mebiokpa Okposi Ohozara, Ebonyi State.

According to a social media post by an eyewitness, the fire began around 2 AM. The father, upon waking to the smoke, bravely entered the burning structure to save his daughter from the children's room. Despite his efforts, the inferno proved too intense, leading to his daughter's immediate death and severe burns for himself.

He battled for his life for a week following the incident, but tragically, the severity of his injuries led to his passing. The post described Njoku as a hero for his selfless attempt to save his child.

The surviving family members are reportedly in critical condition, fighting to recover from their injuries and the trauma of the event. The post concluded with a plea for prayers for the family, emphasizing the fragility of life after the family lost two members and suffered severe injuries in a single night.