A fire outbreak at the Rugar Audu Badali settlement in Karasuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State has claimed the lives of four members of the same family.
The incident occurred at about 5pm on Friday, with the victims identified as Bilkisu, wife of Mallam Bukar, and her three children, Zainab, Hafsat and Salamatu.
The deceased were subsequently buried in accordance with Islamic rites, while surviving members of the household were left homeless after the fire destroyed their residence and belongings.
According to a statement on Saturday by the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, the agency led an assessment and condolence visit to the affected community in collaboration with representatives of the Karasuwa Local Government Authority and community stakeholders.
The SEMA team conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the extent of the destruction and engaged the bereaved family and other residents to ascertain their immediate humanitarian and psychosocial needs.
During the visit, the agency, alongside the Karasuwa LG leadership and community stakeholders, expressed condolences to Mallam Bukar, his surviving relatives and the people of the local government area over the tragedy.
“We extend our profound condolences to Mallam Bukar, his surviving relatives and the entire people of Karasuwa Local Government Area over this irreparable loss,” the agency said.
SEMA also prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased, asking Almighty Allah to forgive their shortcomings, admit them into Al-Jannatul Firdaus and grant the bereaved family the fortitude and strength to bear the loss.
The agency said its assessment confirmed the urgent need for emergency relief support, temporary shelter and psychosocial assistance for the displaced survivors.
It added that it would coordinate humanitarian interventions and mobilise the necessary resources to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the disaster.
“SEMA has confirmed the urgent need for emergency relief support, temporary shelter and psychosocial assistance for the displaced survivors,” the agency said.
The agency further appealed for collective efforts to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents across communities in Yobe State.
The PUNCH online gathered that the surviving members of the affected household were left without shelter after the fire destroyed their home and belongings.
The agency said, “We remain firmly committed to coordinating timely humanitarian interventions and mobilising the necessary resources to alleviate the suffering of those affected.”
Yobe SEMA also prayed for continued protection for residents of the state and lasting relief for all those impacted by the incident.
