The Federal Fire Service (FFS) saved properties valued at ₦1.3 billion across the 13 Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State between January and October 2026.
The state Controller of the service, Eno Nwachukwu, disclosed this on Monday during the official flag-off of the 2026 National Fire Week Awareness Campaign held at the Federal Secretariat in Lafia, the state capital.
Nwachukwu revealed that properties worth ₦2.1 billion were exposed to fire hazards during the period, with an estimated loss of ₦800 million. She added that the command responded to 97 emergency calls across the state within the 10-month timeframe.
Speaking on the theme, “Building a Fire Resilient Nigeria: One Community at a Time,” Nwachukwu stressed the need for a strategic shift from reactive emergency responses to proactive, community-led prevention.
“Fire safety is not the responsibility of the Federal Fire Service alone; it is a collective responsibility that requires the active participation of government, private organisations, institutions, families, community leaders, and every individual,” she stated.
She warned that fire disasters make no distinction between government buildings, private homes, commercial markets, or places of worship, pledging that the service will step up public sensitization on common household and commercial hazards.
Echoing the call for proactive measures, the Nasarawa State Head of Civil Service, Abigail Waya—represented by Permanent Secretary Belinda Oyigbenu Atinuke—advocated for stronger synergy between federal and state fire service personnel.
Waya highlighted the importance of intelligence sharing and joint training, particularly following the state’s recent recruitment of new fire personnel. She also urged residents to adopt simple safety habits, such as switching off electrical appliances when not in use and reporting emergencies immediately.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Abubakar Alhassan of the Department of Geography and Environmental Management, Federal University of Lafia, outlined key causes of fire outbreaks in the state. He identified illegal fuel storage, improper electrical wiring by unqualified technicians, cigarette smoking, bush burning, and gas leaks as major risks.
Dr. Alhassan urged trade unions, traditional rulers, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations to partner with the Federal Fire Service to set up functioning community fire safety committees.
The event featured interactive sessions, success stories, and the presentation of awards to individuals and organizations recognized for their contributions to disaster management in Nasarawa State.
