A family of five, including the acting permanent secretary, Benue State Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology, Seker Akaa; his pregnant wife and two children have been killed in a fire incident in Makurdi early Monday.
Benue police spokesman, Sewuese Anene, confirmed the incident, saying the fire started around 2:40 am at Kwarafa Quarters, Makurdi.
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Three other flats were affected including the resident of Evangelist Daniel Unongo, chaplain of Benue Government House, who is also senior special assistant to Governor Samuel Ortom on religion.
Anene said the corpses have been taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Makurdi mortuary.
The police spokesperson said the cause of the fire has not been established.
Benue Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu, who immediately visited the scene, expressed shock at the level of destruction and loss of human lives.
Mr Abounu described it as a black day for Benue.
“We cannot undo what has happened. At the moment, government will take responsibility for their burial and assist the other families to relocate. We warn against any looting of property,” Abounu said.
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Commissioner of Energy, Science Technology, Godwin Oyiwona, also expressed the ministry’s condolences.
Residents say the fire might have been caused by electrical fault as it razed down the entire house and extended to three other houses.
