A fire outbreak has razed more than 100 thatched shelters at the Water Board Internally Displaced Persons camp in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State, leaving hundreds of residents displaced.
The incident occurred on Friday afternoon at about 4.30 pm, according to the Borno State Police Command. The fire was reported at the Monguno Police Station by the camp chairman, Bukar Mbati, after flames rapidly spread across the settlement.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Nahun Daso, said the inferno destroyed numerous makeshift houses within minutes, consuming food supplies and other essential household items belonging to displaced families.
He explained that personnel of the Borno State Fire Service, alongside police officers and other security agencies stationed at the camp, responded swiftly and were able to contain the fire before it spread further.
Daso disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer of Monguno supervised an immediate assessment of the damage, while photographs of the scene were taken for documentation and investigation purposes.
“Fortunately, no life was lost and no injury was recorded during the incident,” the police spokesperson said, adding that the monetary value of the destroyed properties had yet to be determined.
Residents of the camp were seen salvaging what remained of their belongings as security personnel maintained order within the area.
The police noted that investigations had commenced to determine the cause of the fire, while relevant authorities were expected to assess the humanitarian needs of affected families.
Borno State hosts thousands of internally displaced persons following years of insurgency, with many camps consisting largely of thatched structures that are vulnerable to fire outbreaks, especially during the dry season.
