• Fri. Apr 19th, 2024
Aftermath of the Fire. Picture by Dauda Illiya

From Dauda Illiya (Borno)

Six hundred and twenty houses have been completly destroyed by fire at Custom House IDP camp in the outskirts of Maiduguri metropolis. 

the Camp Manager of Custom House, Usman Mohammed who made this known said one child lost his life while other two old women sustained injuries during the inferno. 

Radio Nigeria gathered that the fire outbreak which started around 8:30 in the morning consumed parts of the camp and was put out by the combined efforts of the IDPs, security agents and officials of the federal and state fire service.

Four hours later, another fire breaks out in other part of camp destroying many of the makeshift tents.

Usman Mohammed said the cause of the fire was not yet known, however investigation had commenced to find out the actual cause of the fire disaster. 

He said the affected IDPs are from Dikwa local government and currently in dire need of assistance. 

When contacted, acting Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency NEMA, Ishaya Chinoko told Radio Nigeria that emergency response had been dispatched and initial needs assessment conducted. 

He added that relief would soon be provided to the affected victims. 

Radio Nigeria reports that Custom House camp has a total of 14,250 displaced persons from three local government areas of Dikwa, Mafa and Bama.