By Ezra Musa
Kaduna: The Federal Fire Service (FFS), Kaduna State Command, says it saved property worth more than N16 billion from fire incidents in October.
Aminu Kiyawa, Commanding Officer of the Command, disclosed this in Kaduna during activities marking the 2026 Annual Fire Safety Week on Monday.
Kiyawa said the campaign, with the theme, “Building a Fire-Resilient Nigeria, One Community at a Time,” aimed to promote public awareness, grassroots participation and partnerships to prevent fire disasters.
He said most fire outbreaks occurred in homes, markets, farms and other public places, making community involvement critical to effective fire prevention.
According to him, the Command had sensitised more than 3,000 students on fire safety and established fire safety clubs in schools to promote preventive habits among children.
He said the Command was also engaging religious leaders, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Islamic organisations, to incorporate fire safety messages into Friday and Sunday sermons.
On market safety, Kiyawa said the command had partnered with the Kaduna State Traders Association to establish its presence at Kasuwan Barchi Market.
He added that plans were underway to establish a fire station at the market in collaboration with Urban Shelters Limited Nigeria.
According to him, the command also planned to train fire safety marshals in markets to serve as first responders, while consultations were ongoing with the Federal University of Applied Sciences.
Also consulting with the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital to extend fire safety awareness to the institutions.
In her remarks, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna state, Dr Hadiza Balarabe commended firefighters for their courage and commitment to protecting lives and property.
Represented by Martins Galadima, Senior Special Assistant on Stakeholders Relations, Balarabe described firefighters as people who ran towards danger while others fled, commending them for risking their lives to save others.
She urged home owners, market operators, industrialists and other residents to collaborate with relevant agencies to prevent fire outbreaks and strengthen emergency response in the state.
In his remarks, Ahmed Karaye, Assistant Controller-General of Fire, Federal Fire Service, Zone B, Kaduna and FCT, urged officers to demonstrate dedication, discipline and professionalism in discharging their duties.
Represented by Chief Superintendent of Fire, Kazeem Sholadoye, Karaye said the approaching Harmattan season required increased vigilance because of the heightened risk of fire outbreaks.
He directed officers to ensure prompt emergency response, effective fire prevention and improved service delivery, stressing that professionalism and efficiency were essential to the Service’s mandate.
Karaye said activities for the week-long programme would include sensitisation campaigns in schools, markets, motor parks and other public places, alongside interactive sessions to promote fire safety awareness.
He urged residents to inspect electrical installations regularly, avoid overloading sockets and switch off appliances when not in use.
He also advised market operators, transport workers and business owners to provide functional fire extinguishers and keep access roads clear to facilitate emergency response.
The Assistant Controller-General stressed the need for continuous training and public enlightenment, describing fire prevention as a collective responsibility requiring the cooperation of individuals, communities and institutions.
Similarly, Halima Sulaiman, Head of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Kaduna Operations Office, said building fire-resilient communities required sustained collaboration among government agencies, emergency responders, traditional and religious leaders, and community-based organisations.
Represented by Ikramat Umar, Head of the Disaster Risk Reduction Unit, Sulaiman said many fire incidents could be prevented through public awareness, early detection, adequate preparedness and compliance with safety measures.
She reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to collaborating with the Federal Fire Service and other stakeholders in disaster risk reduction, public sensitisation and emergency response.
Sulaiman urged residents to regard fire safety as a shared responsibility and translate awareness into practical preventive measures. (NAN)
Source: News Agency of Nigeria
