The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has disbursed over ₦38 million as relief support to 28 victims affected by separate fire incidents in Minna, the state capital, in 2024.
The Director General of NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, disclosed this during the symbolic presentation of cheques to some beneficiaries at the agency’s headquarters in Minna. Others, he said, will receive their payments electronically.
Baba-Arah conveyed Governor Umaru Bago’s heartfelt sympathy to the victims and advised residents to take fire safety precautions seriously by switching off all electrical appliances when leaving homes or business premises.
The DG explained that the fire outbreaks occurred at three locations across Minna: Tunga Locust, where several shops were razed in an incident on February 9, 2024; Maitumbi, where a residential house was destroyed by fire, resulting in significant property loss; and Chanchaga, where a single victim was affected.
He added that Governor Bago has approved the disbursement of 25% of the total estimated losses to both landlords and tenants — a significant improvement from the 10-15% compensation practised in previous administrations.
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One of the beneficiaries, Mahmoud Mohammed, a landlord at Tunga Locust, expressed deep gratitude to the state government, commending the governor’s empathy and timely intervention.
Additionally, another beneficiary, Juliet Nwabuze, expressed that she was overwhelmed with joy.
“We are truly grateful to the governor. I had already lost hope, especially when I remembered how my friend lost everything to fire during the last administration and received nothing in return,” she said.
Source: Channels TV
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