Inferno Ravages Konduga IDP Camp, Claims Lives as Troops Lead Heroic Rescue Efforts

By Zagazola Makama

A devastating fire tore through the Mandalari Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Konduga, Borno State, on Friday, February 28, 2025, leaving at least 14 dead, scores injured, and hundreds of vulnerable residents homeless once again.

The inferno, which ignited around 11:25 a.m., spread rapidly through the densely populated camp, fueled by the dry, harmattan winds and the flammable materials used to construct makeshift shelters. Panic-stricken residents struggled to escape as the flames consumed their belongings, reducing their fragile refuge to ashes.

Security personnel, including troops stationed in Konduga under Operation Hadin Kai, swiftly mobilized to assist firefighters, emergency teams, and community members in combating the raging inferno. Soldiers risked their lives to evacuate victims, control the panicked crowd, and establish security perimeters to prevent further casualties.

“The military provided immediate support, mobilizing personnel and equipment to contain the fire while ensuring the safety of affected families,” a security source disclosed.

Despite valiant efforts, the death toll is feared to rise, as emergency responders continue combing through the charred remains of shelters in search of survivors.

The Borno State Fire Service, the Nigerian Army, and humanitarian agencies are working round the clock to bring the situation under control. Emergency medical teams have been deployed to treat the injured, while aid organizations are scrambling to provide temporary shelter, food, and relief materials to the displaced victims.

For the thousands of IDPs who had already suffered the horrors of insurgency, this tragedy is yet another cruel blow. Calls are growing for the government and humanitarian bodies to bolster fire safety measures in IDP camps and implement long-term solutions to protect vulnerable populations.

As the smoke clears over Konduga, the full scale of the tragedy is still unfolding, with the affected families now facing yet another battle for survival.