Borno Gov’t Probes NGOs ‘Behind’ Fire Incidents In IDP Camps

Borno State government, on Sunday, disclosed that it has received a report in which a suspect admitted that he and his “co-conspirators” were “hired” by some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to set Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps on fire in the State.

The discovery was made known in a statement made by the state’s Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar, which was obtained by LEADERSHIP in Maiduguri.

Professor Tar, who said the matter was under investigation and that further necessary action shall only be taken on the basis of the outcome of the investigation, added that those arrested were in detention and undergoing intensive interrogation, while the indicted NGOs had been summoned for preliminary interrogation.

He said, “The Borno State Government has received situation reports (SITREPs) from reliable sources regarding suspected cases of fire outbreaks in some IDPs camps within the State.

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“This recent rise in frequency of infernos in IDPs camps has been a matter of concern, and all hands are on deck to forestall any further occurrence of fire outbreaks in the State. The Government has been investigating the occurrence of the infernos on a case-by-case basis, with a view to establishing the remote and extant causes, and developing a strategy to stem future occurrence.

“On 29 March 2024, 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 IDPs 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 Government assures members of the public that this matter will receive appropriate and expedited attention, and 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.”