KANO, Nigeria – Nigeria plans to establish fire stations across all 109 senatorial districts following a deadly market blaze in Kano, as authorities move to strengthen emergency response nationwide.
The Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel-Adeyemi, discloses the plan during an on-the-spot assessment of the February 14 Singer Market fire.
Conveying the sympathy of Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Samuel-Adeyemi expresses condolences to traders and residents who lost property worth billions of naira.
“Two similar incidents occurred here within weeks,” he says. “A fire station will be established inside this market to reduce response time and prevent future losses.”
He notes that although firefighters arrive within 20 minutes, access delays caused by obstructions hamper rescue efforts, urging Nigerians to always give right of way to emergency vehicles.
The fire chief identifies faulty wiring, unsafe fuel storage, generator use, lithium battery installations and cooking inside shops as common fire triggers. He adds that proposed amendments to the Fire Service Act will strengthen enforcement, including sealing unsafe premises.
The Service also plans to collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force and Civil Defence Corps for crowd control and to construct water reservoirs in major markets nationwide. Fire Service Plans Stations Nationwide After Kano Market Inferno
