INFERNO RAZES MONGUNO IDP CAMP: Over 100 Thatched Shelters Gutted in Borno Blaze

Panic and despair swept through the Water Board Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Monguno, Borno State, on Thursday evening as a raging fire reduced over 100 thatched shelters to ashes, destroying food supplies and other vital household belongings.
The devastating inferno, which broke out at about 4:30 p.m. on January 16, was reported at the Monguno Police Station by Bukar Mbati, Chairman of the IDP camp.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that the fire spread rapidly across the camp, fueled by the highly flammable thatched structures, leaving hundreds of displaced families counting heavy losses.
“The fire engulfed more than 100 thatched houses, destroying foodstuffs and other essential household items in the process,” a police source confirmed.
Swift intervention by the Borno State Fire Service, supported by police officers and other security agencies stationed within the camp, prevented the inferno from escalating further and consuming additional shelters.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Monguno, led a patrol team to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment, while photographs were taken to document the scale of destruction.
Although no life was lost and no injuries were recorded, the incident has left many already-vulnerable residents without shelter or basic necessities. The monetary value of the destroyed properties is yet to be determined.
Authorities disclosed that the cause of the fire remains unknown, adding that a full investigation has commenced to determine the origin of the outbreak and prevent future occurrences.
The incident has once again highlighted the fragile living conditions within IDP camps and renewed calls for improved safety measures and durable housing solutions for displaced populations in Borno State.