‘Three killed, 3,000 displaced’ as fire razes settlement in Borno

The Kalari settlement in Konduga LGA of Borno state has reportedly been razed by fire.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the fire, which started at about 1pm on Sunday, engulfed three villages, destroying more than 1,500 thatched houses.

The fire was said to have claimed three lives and displaced over 3,000 people.

In response to the disaster, the military, along with the combined joint task force (CJTF), mobilised to provide emergency assistance.

Personnel from the 222 Battalion rendered first aid to the wounded and transported the injured to Maiduguri Specialist Hospital via army ambulances.

Local officials, including the chairman of Konduga LGA, a member of the house of assembly, and the commissioner for environment, also ensured immediate relief efforts for the affected families.

An official of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said the Borno state government has made an urgent appeal for humanitarian aid to support the thousands affected by the fire and previous disasters.

The official said efforts are underway to provide shelter, food, and medical care to those impacted by the incident.

In 2024, severe flooding devastated Konduga LGA, following the collapse of the Alau Dam.

The floods from the dam’s collapse also affected Maiduguri and Jere LGAs, displacing over 200,000 people.