By Njoh Linda
Tragedy struck in Ngaoundere on the night of January 23 to 24, 2026, as a fire claimed the lives of Patrice Joël Nariki, the Divisional Officer of Galim-Tignère, his wife, and three of their children.
According to local sources, the blaze broke out late at night in the family’s residence, reportedly starting from the kitchen. The flames spread rapidly, trapping the occupants inside the house.
Despite efforts by neighbors who rushed to the scene, the Divisional Officer, his spouse, and three of their children could not be saved.
Two other children survived the incident, thanks to the swift intervention of neighbors who managed to pull them out of the burning building. They are currently receiving medical care, sources say.
The exact cause of the fire is yet to be established, and authorities have opened an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The bodies of the victims have been transferred to the mortuary of the Ngaoundere Regional Hospital, as the community, colleagues, and local authorities mourn the loss of a senior administrator and his family.
Patrice Joël Nariki served as Divisional Officer of Galim-Tignère, a Subdivision in the Faro-and-Déo Division of the Adamawa Region.