Three dead, over 3,000 displaced as fire guts IDP camp in Maiduguri

Three persons were confirmed dead, while more than 3,000 others were displaced, following a fire incident that occurred at a camp for internally displaced persons (IDP) in the customs area of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

Yabawa Kolo, director-general of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), confirmed the incident to reporters in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

Kolo said the incident, which occurred on Tuesday, also affected the food items belonging to the IDPs.

She explained that there were two fire outbreaks – one in the morning, while the second incident took place around 2pm.

According to the SEMA DG, about 600 shelters were affected.

She also noted that the fire might have started from the tent of one of the IDPS, who was cooking.

Meanwhile, Kolo expressed concern about what she described as recurring fire incidents at the camps, which had affected many families.

“We recorded such incidents in Gajiram, where 338 households were affected,” NAN quoted her to have said.

She explained that the agency and other key partners had adopted a proactive approach to prevent such occurrences through advocacy and sensitisation.

Kolo added that the agency and other partners would items to the affected families to support them.