A horrifying incident unfolded in the quiet village of Tse Agubor Gyaruwa, Tsambee – Mbesev Council Ward, located in the Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue state.
An 80-year-old woman lost her life in a devastating fire that consumed over 50 houses, reducing them to ashes and causing millions of Naira in property damage.
The distressing event occurred around 10 am on January 18, 2024, catching the community members off guard as they were engaged in farm activities. Village Head Chief Ayatse Agubor revealed that the fire erupted while the villagers were away, prompting a frantic rush to the farm to salvage their produce stored there.
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Zaki Agubor, the Village Head, lamented the tragic turn of events, urging youths to refrain from unauthorized bush burning, emphasizing the dire consequences that may follow any such actions in the future.
Witnesses recounted the chaotic scene as the villagers battled to contain the fire, only to realize that their entire village was engulfed in flames. Hajia Kongo, one of the affected residents, shared her heartbreaking experience of losing over 10 bags of maize, soya beans, and more than N100,000 that she had stored in one of the corn bags.
In the aftermath, Kongo called on the state government and well-meaning individuals to extend a helping hand to the community, alleviating the profound impact of their losses.
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Responding to the tragic incident, Mr. Henry Agba, the Caretaker Chairman of Gwer West, vowed to address the issue of rampant bush burning in the local government. He announced plans to dispatch a team to assess the extent of the destruction caused by the inferno, with the intention of reporting to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
As the affected community grapples with the aftermath of this devastating fire, the hope is that assistance and support will pour in to help them rebuild their lives.
