Jutha Gupah, Damaturu April 8, 2019
An inferno has gutted three communities on Saturday in Yobe state, destroying houses and grains worth millions of naira. The destroyed villages are Garin Kaduwa, Daawa and Samo, located in Nangere Local Government Area of the state. Even though the cause of the inferno could not be ascertained, it was suspected that the Northeasterly strong dried winds triggered the fire to destroy three farming communities. Confirming the incident at the weekend, Council Director of Personnel Management (DPM), Usman Makeri said: “The affected villages are old; and residences of farming communities, where most of the destroyed houses are made of wood and thatched huts.” He said at Garin Kaduwa village, 37 households suffered losses of their houses at the weekend without deaths or fire burns. The firemen had little hope of putting off the inferno on villages’ buildings; because of long distance from the council headquarters, Sabon Garin Nangere. Makeri, who confirmed the incident yesterday (Monday) disclosed that; “There were fire disasters in four communities of the state. “This will enable us respond rapidly by visiting the affected communities to sympathize with the fire victims. “The villagers suffered losses of their thatched houses, grains and livestock. I have immediately directed my community development officer to get the full details so that tomorrow (Tuesday) we would send a delegation to Yobe State Emergency Management Agency for intervention. “We’re already in touch also with the Yobe State House of Assembly Member, representing Nangere constituency to alleviate sufferings of fire victims.” He said that the victims were happy with his visit and assured them of quick government intervention. Muhammad Kaduwa, a victim of fire said that the inferno was caused by hot and dry weather conditions with strong winds from the northeast. He said the inferno was triggered by Northeast dried winds of Sahara that swept through the affected villages. He said most of the villages are made of thatched huts and mats.
