Mother, three children die in Yobe inferno

A woman and her three children have been killed in a fire outbreak that destroyed the Rugar Audu Badali settlement in Karasuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Sunday PUNCH learnt that 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

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 in the statement.

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.

It also appealed for collective efforts to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents across communities in Yobe State.