Security operatives have arrested four suspects for allegedly causing fire outbreaks in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Borno State. The Guardian learnt that there have been a series of fire incidents in Maiduguri, Monguno, Mafa and Gubio with about 15 incidents recorded within the past four years.

Some of these incidents resulted in deaths and immeasurable losses to the displaced persons who have already suffered the brunt of the 13 years insurgency in the state.

Disclosing this, counter-insurgency expert in Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, noted that it has become a normal routine for IDPs camps in Borno to be gutted by fire, especially during the harmattan period.

According to him, it was earlier suspected that the IDPs were setting their camps on fire to get government attention owing to hunger and poor living conditions, while on the other hand, the State Emergency Agency (SEMA) blamed the IDPs for not being cautious with use of fire when cooking.

“But things took another twist on March 24, at about 10:13a.m., when three suspects were apprehended in an attempt to set a house ablaze in Mafa Local Council,” he said.

One Bulama Mante in company of Baba Kachallah Dukje, a hunter from Mafa Local Council, he said, apprehended three of the suspects; Mallum Usman, Bulama Bukar Kuri, Rawa Usman, all from Mafa IDPs camp and handed them over to the police.

“They were arrested with matches while trying to set a house ablaze.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the trio were behind many of the recurrence fire incidents at IDPs camp within the state.

“The suspects confessed that they were contracted by a firewood vendor, one Babagana Dikwa, 40, of Muna IDPs camp, who gave them N10,000 to set fire in places.

“They also confessed to be responsible for several fire incidents recorded in Muna, Gubio, and Monguno IDPs camp. It is believed that when they burnt IDPs camp, they will gain unimaginable wealth in the future, depending on the damages inflicted by the fire,” Makama said.

The fourth suspect was however arrested by the Civilian Joint Task Force for allegedly causing the recent fire in Monguno IDPs camp. The suspect, who appeared in a viral video, alleged that he was contracted by two Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) providing humanitarian services in Borno to set fire in IDPs camps.

The suspect alleged that he was among the four people engaged by the NGOs (names withheld) to carry out several arsons in different camps and were paid N10,000 once the job was done.

But Zagazola could not independently verify the allegations made by the suspect against the NGOs. Reacting, Borno Police Commissioner, Yusuf Lawal, confirmed the arrest of four suspects, who are currently at the Command’s crime investigative units. He said it was yet to be substantiated if NGOs were involved.

Lawal said that there were two incidents; one of them was recorded in Monguno where a suspect was recorded in a video, claiming that he was contracted by two NGOs to carry out arson and another one in Mafa where three people were arrested in connection with the same crime.

“We are yet to establish if the two incidents were related but those we arrested have already confessed that they were contracted by a fire wood seller in the Muna general area to set fire in places.

“We have arrested him and are currently undergoing investigation at the Crime Investigation Department,” he said. The CP warned people against spreading unsubstantiated rumours, noting that the police will investigate the matter and make its findings known to the public.

Confirming the development, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Security Prof. Usman Tar, said the government has received reports from reliable sources regarding suspected cases of fire outbreaks in some IDP camps within the state.

Tar lamented the recent rise in frequency of fire incidents in IDP camps, saying it has been a matter of concern to the government. He stated that all hands are on deck to forestall further occurrences in the state.

According to him, the government has been investigating the incidents on a case-by-case basis, with a view to establishing the remote and extant causes, and developing a strategy to stem future occurrence.

He said: “On March 29, the Ministry of Information and Internal Security received a report in which a suspect admitted that he and his co-conspirators were hired by some NGOs (names withheld) to set IDP camps on fire.

“This matter is under investigation and further necessary action shall only be taken on the basis of the outcome of the investigation.

“Those arrested are in detention undergoing intensive interrogation, while the NGOs who were pinpointed in the alleged violent practice have been summoned for preliminary interrogation.

“The state government assures members of the public that this matter will receive appropriate and expedited attention.” He declared that any culprit will be dealt with according to the law.

“Meanwhile, members of the public are urged to be calm, peaceful and law-abiding. Any breach of security should be reported to the nearest law enforcement agency or traditional rulers for transmission to the relevant authority,” Tar declared.