A massive fire tore through the Water Board Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State on Friday, April 19, 2025, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The shocking incident, which was reported by renowned security analyst and counterinsurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, on his official X handle, has plunged hundreds of vulnerable residents into deeper despair, as the inferno devoured approximately 100 makeshift shelters constructed from thatch and other fragile materials.
According to eyewitnesses, the blaze erupted at about 10:40 a.m. and spread like wildfire, fanned by strong winds and the flammable nature of the structures. In a matter of minutes, household items, food supplies, and personal belongings were reduced to ashes.
“The fire was too fast. We couldn’t save anything. People were running, trying to help each other, but the flames were everywhere,” said a distraught resident, recounting the terrifying moments.
While the precise cause of the fire remains unknown, officials have launched an investigation to ascertain its origin and evaluate the total value of the properties lost.
Emergency responders, including humanitarian aid workers and firefighters, rushed to the scene to contain the situation. Their swift intervention helped to prevent a total catastrophe, while also maintaining order and curbing potential looting attempts.
In a rare stroke of fortune, no fatalities or serious injuries were recorded despite the scale of destruction, a relief in what could have easily been a full-blown humanitarian disaster.
Authorities have assured the public that relief efforts are underway, as displaced families—already grappling with the hardship of displacement due to insurgency—now face the additional burden of rebuilding their lives from scratch.
As investigations continue, advocacy groups are calling for improved safety measures in IDP camps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
PIONEER NEWS 