Dozens of homes are razed at Wannune, the hometown of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen George Akume. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Mr Tyough Tyubee John, who visited the scene, says he “met an ongoing register of 96 households who lost over 300 units of houses in the infernon.”
The fire started on Friday, January 16, and after it was put out, re-ignited on Saturday, January 17, consuming hundreds of houses within the locality.
“On the 16th January, 2026, what seemed to be a minor fire disaster became an outbreak, consuming over 300 units of thatch houses, over 6 units of zinc houses affected, and valuables worth millions destroyed.
“The first victim of the inferno, Mr Moses Answa Agule, who narrated the story to us while on the spot assessment, said he was on his way to the Market garage when he received a call from a family member with the report that a unit of thatch house was on fire in his home.
“Mr Moses, who made a U-turn back home, combined with the neighbours and successfully put out the fire.
“He said that after 30 minutes of the rescue, he took his bath and headed for the market again. Reaching the Akume Earth dam, he saw fumes of smoke in the air, just as his phone was ringing. Upon receiving the call, another unit of his house was on fire.
“This time, the community became on alert.
“Three (3) more huts received the same attack, six (6) more, twelve (12) and boom, the Jibili settlement took a hell hew.
“Neighbours, local firefighters got a treat from the inferno.
“At last, the fire was subdued.
“On the 17th January, 26, as the community gathered itself to take stock of the losses, the fire re-emerged, this time, with two (2) units of huts in flames.
From 2, the evil spread, consuming over fifty (50) huts.
“On the thought of safety, all standing thatch houses were pushed down to avert the destruction of valuables.
“Sad enough, even the thatches on the ground would later catch fire.
“On the visit, I met an ongoing register of 96 households that lost over 300 units of houses in the inferno.
“Sincerely, the cause of this fire has remained unknown even as the pattern of attack (outbreak )(starting from inside) is similar among all the house units,” writes Mr Tyough.
An anonymous source told TNT that a “mysterious fire” has caused devastating damage at Wannune, dashing hopes and causing pain.
The police have yet to release communication on the incident.
