The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has conducted a rapid assessment in Suen and Batbai villages, Ribbi Chiefdom, Moyamba District, following a fire incident that occurred on 17th January 2026, which destroyed two (2) houses in Batbai village and fifteen (15) houses in Suen village, respectively.

The assessment was undertaken after NDMA received an alert on January 19 2026, from the Honourable Member of Parliament for Moyamba District, Umu Pyne. In response, the Agency dispatched its Assessment Team from the Relief and Response Directorate to the affected villages to verify the incident and assess the extent of damage.

Findings from the assessment established that the fire was deliberately caused through an arson attack, allegedly arising from a land ownership dispute between residents of Suen and Batbai villages. The disputed land is reportedly earmarked for acquisition by Orange Telecommunication Company for the construction of a telecommunications mast aimed at improving network coverage in the area. The disagreement is said to have escalated into tensions between the two villages that led to the incident.

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As a result of the incident, seven makeshift residential structures were destroyed, displacing sixteen households and affecting a total population of 82 persons. Household items, food stocks, cash savings, and personal documents were all lost in the fire.

The assessment further revealed that two public facilities (a church and a mosque) were also impacted, with some mosques and church items carted away during the incident. Several small-scale traders also lost their farm produce and merchandise during the incident. The affected population includes pregnant women, lactating mothers, school-going children, and elderly persons, with three persons reported injured.

Due to the intervention of the Sierra Leone Police, nine (9) suspects (seven from Batbai village and two from Suen village) are currently in custody, assisting the police with ongoing investigations.

Based on the outcome of the needs assessment, the affected victims are in urgent need of food and non-food items, school materials, and shelter support, including zinc roofing sheets and nails, to support the affected households recover.

NDMA has promised to engage the government as well as local and international NGOs to solicit support towards responding to the needs of the affected population.
The Agency pledged to continue monitoring the situation and engage relevant stakeholders as investigations into the incident continue.