The Federal Fire Service has revealed that Nigeria lost properties worth ₦67.1 billion and over 100 lives to fire incidents in 2024.
The announcement was made by the Controller General of the FFS, Abdulganiyu Jaji, during a press conference held at the FFS headquarters in Abuja.
Jaji also disclosed that despite the losses, the Service successfully saved properties valued at ₦1.94 trillion during the same period.
“In the year 2024, the Federal Fire Service effectively saved property worth ₦1.94 trillion and recorded an estimated property loss of ₦67.1 billion. In the same year, Federal Fire Service responded to fire and other emergencies during which 30,890 lives were saved while over 100 lives were lost,” he said.
Jaji warned that fire outbreaks are likely to increase during the harmattan season due to low humidity, which creates favorable conditions for fires to spread. He urged fuel station operators, petrol tanker drivers, gas station owners, and the general public to strictly adhere to safety guidelines.
He stated, “Cases of fire outbreaks could rise during the harmattan season when humidity is low. I implore all operators of fuel stations, petrol tankers, gas refilling stations, gas cylinder consumers, and the general public to follow safety protocols and regulations.”
The FFS is working on enhancing its operations and response capabilities this year. Jaji outlined the Service’s plans, including raising public awareness and leveraging advanced technologies like the National Fire Detection and Alarm System and the N-Alert Fire Alarm App.
“We will focus on raising awareness and improving response time using cutting-edge technologies such as the National Fire Detection and Alarm System and the Fire Alarm App known as N-Alert,” he added.
Jaji commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the Service by approving the procurement of modern firefighting equipment and the remodeling of the National Fire Academy.
He also called for public backing for the repeal and re-enactment of the outdated Fire Service Act of 1963. According to him, “If this is achieved, it will reposition the Service to enhance effective service delivery.”
The FFS urged Nigerians to prioritize fire safety and cooperate with the Service to prevent further losses as the harmattan season progresses.
