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A middle-aged school teacher and single mother of seven children, Hajia Aisha Kende Dailla, has appealed for assistance after a fire destroyed her three-bedroom apartment in Lokoja, Kogi State.
The incident, which occurred on Friday, August 28, 2026, left Aisha and the children without a home after the building and household belongings were destroyed.
She appealed to the Kogi State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), corporate organisations and other well-meaning Nigerians to assist the family as they struggle to recover from the incident.
Fire Started After Electricity Was Restored
According to Aisha, the fire started at about 3:00 p.m. on August 28, shortly after electricity supply returned to the area following a three-day blackout.
She said the fire began from the ceiling and attributed the incident to what she described as a high-voltage surge when power was restored.
The affected residence is located at First 200 Units along Mallam Hassan Road, near Wada Footballers Camp in Lokoja.
Officials of the Federal Fire Service and residents reportedly attempted to contain the fire, but the building was completely destroyed.
Aisha’s account of the cause remains her description of what happened. The reports do not provide an independent technical investigation establishing that a power surge caused the fire.
Teacher Says Family Lost Everything
Aisha, who is a teacher and an indigene of Lokoja Local Government Area, said the fire destroyed virtually everything the family owned.
Among the items lost were personal belongings, important documents and educational certificates.
She said personal effects belonging to her five biological children and two other children under her care were also destroyed.
“I lost everything I have worked for over the years within a few minutes,” she said.
The mother said the family was subsequently left without adequate shelter, clothing and food.
“My children and I are now homeless, with no food, no clothes, and no means of survival,” she added.
The destruction of important documents and educational certificates could also create additional challenges for the family, particularly if the documents are required for school, employment or other official purposes.
Small-Scale Trading Losses Add To Family’s Difficulties
A report published by Daybreak added that Aisha had also purchased goods on credit for a small-scale trading business before the fire.
Those goods were reportedly destroyed alongside other belongings in the apartment.
The loss has consequently increased the family’s financial difficulties as Aisha tries to provide basic necessities for the children while also dealing with the destruction of their home.
Reports said the family has struggled to secure shelter, food and other basic needs since the incident.
For a single-income household, the loss of both accommodation and property can create immediate financial pressure, particularly when household documents and income-generating goods are also affected.
Appeal For Government And Public Assistance
Following the incident, Aisha appealed to the Kogi State Government, NEMA, corporate organisations and individuals to provide assistance.
She specifically appealed to the Kogi State Government under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and called on well-meaning Nigerians to support the family during the difficult period.
“I am calling on the Kogi State Government under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, as well as kind-hearted Nigerians, to come to my aid in this moment of despair,” she pleaded, according to a report published on September 22.
The appeal comes as the family continues to seek shelter and basic necessities following the destruction of their residence.
Fire Service Efforts Could Not Save The Building
The fire reportedly attracted intervention from Federal Fire Service officials and residents who attempted to bring the situation under control.
Despite those efforts, the apartment was completely destroyed.
The available reports do not provide details on the estimated financial value of the property or the total value of household items lost in the incident.
They also do not state whether anyone sustained injuries during the fire.
The absence of those details means the extent of the family’s losses cannot currently be independently quantified.
Family Faces Difficult Recovery
The incident has left Aisha responsible for finding immediate accommodation and basic necessities for seven children.
Beyond replacing household items, the family may also need to recover important documents and educational certificates destroyed in the fire.
The loss of trading goods reportedly purchased on credit further complicates the recovery process.
For the family, assistance could therefore involve more than rebuilding or replacing household property. It could also involve temporary accommodation, food, clothing, educational support and assistance with replacing essential documents.
No details were available in the reports reviewed about any formal relief already provided to the family by government agencies or other organisations.
Appeal Highlights Need For Support
The Lokoja fire has placed renewed attention on the vulnerability of households facing sudden disasters.
Aisha’s case combines the loss of accommodation, personal belongings, documents and reportedly business goods, leaving the family dependent on external assistance during the recovery period.
The incident occurred on August 28, but the family’s appeal for help was reported in September.
As of the latest reports reviewed, there was no confirmed statement from the Kogi State Government or NEMA detailing any intervention for the family.
Aisha’s appeal remains directed at government institutions, organisations and individuals who may be able to provide support.
For now, the teacher and her seven children are seeking assistance to secure basic necessities and begin rebuilding their lives after the fire destroyed their home.
The available reports establish the date and location of the incident, the family’s losses and Aisha’s account of how the fire started. However, an independent investigation confirming the cause of the fire has not been reported.
