The Federal Government has unveiled plans to establish fire stations across all 109 senatorial districts in Nigeria as part of a nationwide strategy to strengthen emergency response and reduce fire disasters.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the initiative following a fire outbreak at Singer Market on February 14 in Kano State.
The move aims to improve safety, protect lives, and secure public and private assets across the country.
The Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel-Adeyemi, disclosed that a dedicated fire post will also be established within Singer Market to curb recurring incidents and reduce emergency response time.
He said an on-the-spot assessment revealed two major fire outbreaks within weeks, causing extensive economic losses.
According to him, firefighters reached the scene within 20 minutes, but access was delayed due to obstruction of emergency routes.
He therefore urged the public to always grant right of way to fire trucks.
The service identified faulty electrical wiring, unsafe fuel storage, cooking inside shops, generator use, lithium battery installations, and unattended electrical appliances as leading causes of market fires.
To prevent future incidents, the agency has intensified inspections and public education through its Inspectorate and Enforcement Unit to ensure compliance with fire safety standards.
Authorities also plan to amend the Fire Service Act to strengthen enforcement powers, including sealing premises that fail to install required safety equipment.
The Controller-General added that the Service will collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for crowd control during emergencies, while water reservoirs will be constructed in major markets nationwide to improve firefighting operations.
Written by Victor Okiche