Is Nigeria’s Fire Service Delivering?

From tanker explosions to burning properties, filling stations, markets and purchasing malls, recurring fires throughout Nigeria proceed to say lives and destroy property price billions of naira.

Despite a ₦45.11 billion allocation to the Federal Fire Service within the 2025 funds and one other substantial allocation proposed for 2026, questions persist over its preparedness, operational capability and accountability.

In this report, CHRISTIANA NWAOGU examines the funding, challenges, and whether or not Nigerians are getting worth for cash.

Every main hearth outbreak leaves behind greater than charred automobiles, gutted buildings and grieving households. It exposes weaknesses in Nigeria’s emergency response system and raises questions on whether or not firefighters have the gear, personnel, and assets wanted to avoid wasting lives when catastrophe strikes.

From highways and filling stations to crowded markets, warehouses, properties and purchasing malls, hearth outbreaks proceed to threaten lives, livelihoods and investments. Traders lose their companies, households lose their sources of earnings, and communities bear the financial and emotional prices lengthy after the flames have been extinguished.

In some incidents, pissed off residents have reportedly pelted firefighters with stones, whereas property homeowners have accused emergency responders of arriving late. The Federal Fire Service (FFS) has attributed some delays to late misery calls and different operational challenges, explanations that grieving and indignant victims could discover troublesome to just accept.

Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the aftermath of uncontrolled infernos is commonly marked by panic, anguished cries and a painful sense of helplessness.

The scale of the problem is mirrored in figures attributed to the FFS for 2025, which reportedly recorded 1,866 hearth incidents, 114 deaths and estimated property losses of ₦74.75 billion. These figures underscore the necessity for human assets, amenities, and know-how to answer fuel-related fires, constructing collapses, and floods.

But with substantial public funds allotted to the Service, questions stay about whether or not authorities spending is translating into practical gear, improved response occasions and higher safety for Nigerians.

Recent incidents throughout the nation illustrate the size of the problem confronting emergency responders, notably the Federal Fire Service ( FFS)

In Cross River State, Calabar recorded a number of main incidents in 2026. A reported explosion on the Fonex/Fomex facility in Edibe Edibe in March injured dozens of individuals and broken close by property. The Akim Timber Market hearth subsequently destroyed greater than 100 retailers, whereas a fireplace at SPAR Mall in August broken sections of the purchasing complicated. On October 15, a reported hearth at Scanobo Filling Station in Ikot Ekpo, 8 Miles, affected automobiles and close by retailers.

Tanker-related incidents have additionally continued to say lives. In March, a collision involving a fuel tanker and a tipper at Sango-Tedo alongside the Lekki–Epe Expressway in Lagos reportedly killed one particular person and injured two. In June, a tanker-related collision at Ugwu Onyeama on the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway claimed three lives.

October introduced additional incidents. On October 4, a diesel tanker hearth in Odukpani, Cross River State, reportedly destroyed retailers, buildings and automobiles. Published experiences differed on the casualty figures.

On October 13, a fireplace at Itire, Lagos, unfold from an eight-room bungalow to an adjoining two-storey residential constructing. Two males had been rescued, together with one who sustained burns.

Two days later, a petroleum tanker overturned and caught hearth close to Oluku Market alongside the Benin–Lagos Road in Edo State, damaging market stalls and a number of other automobiles. Reports indicated that a minimum of eight folks sustained burn accidents.

Also on October 15, hearth engulfed components of the Folashade Tinubu Ojo Ebute-Ero Market on Lagos Island, spreading from storage retailers to an higher flooring of a multi-storey constructing.

On October 17, a diesel tanker reportedly carrying 45,000 litres of gas suffered brake failure and crashed into 4 automobiles close to Aduloju Bus Stop alongside the Ojoo–Iwo Road in Ibadan, Oyo State. Five folks had been reported lifeless, whereas 10 others had been rescued alive.

The following day, one other tanker crash close to Okoh Junction in Agbor, Delta State, triggered a fireplace that engulfed automobiles and destroyed property price tens of millions of naira.

Market fires have equally destroyed retailers, items and livelihoods in Nnewi, Kano, Yobe, Offa, Jos, Onitsha, Lagos, Ilorin and Ibadan, amongst different places. Other reported incidents have affected Mandate Ultra-Modern Market in Ilorin, Sabo Market in Ikorodu, Oranyan Market in Ibadan and Eda Plaza in Abuja.

Beyond the fast destruction, these incidents elevate questions on hearth prevention, emergency entry, the provision of specialized gear and the power of responders to succeed in affected places shortly.

Funding Versus Performance

Established in 1963, the Federal Fire Service is the federal authorities’s principal company for hearth prevention, mitigation and suppression, in addition to rescue and different emergency providers. It operates underneath the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Interior.

Its obligations embrace controlling and stopping fires, defending lives and property, and enterprise different authorised humanitarian duties. However, recurring disasters and complaints about delayed responses have raised questions on its operational capability.

Figures obtained by LEADERSHIP present that the FFS acquired an allocation of ₦9.6 billion in 2019, rising to ₦11.9 billion in 2020 and ₦16.5 billion in 2021. More than ₦10.4 billion was reportedly invested in 2022, whereas an allocation of ₦51.74 billion was cited for 2023.

The 2025 Executive Budget proposal earmarked roughly ₦45.11 billion for the Service, overlaying personnel, overhead and capital expenditure. Another substantial allocation was proposed for 2026.

These figures elevate a elementary query: how a lot of the cash budgeted is definitely launched and spent, and what enhancements does the expenditure ship?

For firefighters confronting emergencies underneath troublesome circumstances, practical automobiles, dependable water provides, enough staffing, accessible roads and strategically positioned stations could make the distinction between containing a blaze and watching it unfold.

Fire advisor Engr. Nevolom Ibeku mentioned the size of reported hearth incidents raised vital questions on emergency-response capability.

He questioned whether or not sufficient hearth engines had been operational and whether or not firefighters had enough protecting gear, water provides, specialised foam for petroleum-related emergencies and common coaching.

These issues are notably important throughout tanker fires, industrial emergencies and blazes in congested markets, the place the character of the hearth and availability of acceptable gear can decide the end result.

A retired firefighter who recognized himself solely as Nnaji mentioned funds allocations alone couldn’t set up the Service’s effectiveness with out proof of implementation and operational outcomes.

He cautioned in opposition to robotically blaming firefighters at any time when a catastrophe brought on intensive injury, noting that visitors congestion, inaccessible places, insufficient water provides, gear shortages and the size of an outbreak may have an effect on response occasions.

However, Nnaji confused the necessity for higher transparency in public expenditure and operational efficiency. He mentioned fire-service authorities ought to present dependable info on practical automobiles, staffing, response occasions and gear availability, whereas governments ought to disclose how funds had been launched and utilised.

Providing examples of operational challenges at state degree, Nnaji mentioned solely three of 9 firefighting automobiles in Kebbi State had been practical. He defined that earlier than his retirement, the state’s Director of Fire Service had submitted a number of memos looking for repairs to the automobiles or the procurement of replacements.

He additional disclosed that Delta State had 18 practical hearth vans serving 12 hearth stations, including that new stations had been constructed at Owa Oyibu and Koko. He mentioned the state authorities had additionally procured gear and firefighting chemical substances to strengthen operations.

In the FCT, Nnaji mentioned there have been 25 firefighting automobiles, together with water, foam, and emergency tenders, distributed throughout 15 hearth stations. According to him, the service had the amenities and know-how to answer fuel-related fires, constructing collapses, floods, and street accidents.

The claims spotlight variations in operational capability throughout jurisdictions and the necessity for verifiable information on the situation, distribution and utilisation of firefighting assets.

FFS Explains Challenges, Defends Response Times

Responding to issues about recurring fires, emergency-response delays, and operational capability, the FFS, the nationwide public relations officer, deputy controller of Fire, DCF Paul O. Abraham, mentioned the adequacy of firefighting assets have to be assessed in opposition to Nigeria’s inhabitants, geographical dimension, increasing cities, and rising financial actions.

He famous that the nation’s 36 states, the FCT, and 774 native authorities areas comprise industrial centres, industrial amenities, petroleum depots, refineries, filling stations, fuel installations, ports, markets, and highways that require completely different ranges of firefighting capability.

According to Abraham, the Service’s obligations lengthen past extinguishing fires to incorporate prevention, rescue operations, public enlightenment, regulatory features {and professional} coaching.

He put the FFS fleet at 84 hearth vans, 20 water tankers and 20 Rapid Intervention Vehicles. He additionally cited an operational construction comprising 18 zones, 32 state instructions, 94 hearth stations, space instructions, and outposts.

Abraham argued that the adequacy of those assets shouldn’t be judged by car numbers alone, however by their situation, distribution, suitability and talent to satisfy the dangers in numerous places.

A tanker hearth involving giant portions of petrol, as an example, could require specialised firefighting foam, substantial water provides, protecting gear, skilled personnel and the coordinated deployment of a number of home equipment. Industrial fires and outbreaks in congested markets could equally demand specialised gear and automobiles able to navigating slim streets.

On efforts to enhance operational capability, Abraham mentioned the Service was pursuing the rehabilitation and modernisation of firefighting home equipment, personnel improvement, fire-safety inspections, public schooling, inter-agency collaboration and growth of fire-station infrastructure.

He disclosed that, at a stakeholders’ summit in August 2026, the controller-general reported that 40 firefighting home equipment had been rehabilitated and revamped, whereas two fashionable home equipment had been prepared for commissioning and deployment.

Abraham added that the Service was pursuing partnerships with public tertiary establishments, native authorities stakeholders, personal organisations and communities to assist fire-station improvement. The proposed National Fire Academy undertaking, he mentioned, was additionally a part of efforts to strengthen skilled coaching and nationwide firefighting capability.

The goal, in keeping with him, was not merely to accumulate extra automobiles however to make sure that practical gear, skilled personnel and acceptable emergency amenities had been accessible the place they had been most wanted.

Who Is Accountable When Firefighters Arrive Late?

On the query of accountability when emergency responders arrive late, or intensive injury happens, Abraham mentioned accountability have to be decided by investigating the circumstances of every incident reasonably than robotically blaming a selected company or particular person.

He defined that emergency response entails a number of businesses, together with federal and state hearth providers, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Police Force, the National Emergency Management Agency and different related authorities.

While firefighters undertake suppression and rescue operations, different businesses could also be required to handle visitors, safe incident scenes, facilitate evacuation and supply medical help.

Abraham recognized a number of components that might delay responses, together with late misery calls, inaccurate location info, heavy visitors, poor street entry, distance from the closest operational station, gear limitations and response models already attending different emergencies. Communication and coordination difficulties amongst businesses may additionally have an effect on operations.

However, he confused that the place investigations set up negligence, misconduct or failure to discharge assigned obligations, acceptable administrative, disciplinary or authorized procedures ought to comply with. Where delays end result from systemic weaknesses, the related authorities should take corrective motion.

He additionally highlighted the obligations of tanker homeowners, operators and drivers, noting that roadworthiness, correct car upkeep, compliance with security laws and accountable driving had been important to stopping accidents and decreasing their penalties.

Abraham cited a joint response by the Federal Fire Service and Rivers State Fire Service in February 2026 after a tanker overturned and spilt gas close to Nkpogu Roundabout alongside Elekahia Road in Port Harcourt. He mentioned the intervention helped forestall ignition and avert what may have change into a significant hearth catastrophe.

He additionally referred to an August 2026 incident at AYM Shafa Filling Station in Area 3, Garki, Abuja, involving a tanker carrying roughly 60,000 litres of petrol. According to him, the incident demonstrated the significance of acceptable firefighting home equipment, specialised suppression strategies and coordinated emergency operations.

To enhance response occasions, Abraham known as for strategically positioned hearth stations and emergency outposts, practical, well-maintained home equipment, dependable emergency communication programs, improved visitors administration, and common joint workouts amongst related businesses.

He additionally urged motorists to offer approach to emergency automobiles, and members of the general public to stay away from tanker accident scenes and keep away from scooping up spilt gas.

He maintained {that a} swift response relies upon not solely on the pace of a hearth truck but in addition on acceptable gear, correct info, accessible roads, strategic deployment, inter-agency coordination and public cooperation.

Beyond Budgetary Allocations

Nigeria’s recurring hearth disasters elevate questions that can’t be answered by funds figures alone. The nation wants practical firefighting gear, skilled personnel, strategically positioned stations, dependable emergency communication programs and efficient coordination amongst federal and state businesses.

Just as importantly, Nigerians want dependable info displaying how public funds are launched, what they buy and whether or not they enhance emergency-response efficiency.

The Federal Fire Service outlined measures it says are being taken to rehabilitate gear, enhance coaching and strengthen operational capability. Assessing their impression, nevertheless, requires verifiable info on the situation of its fleet, staffing, station protection, response occasions and the outcomes of fireplace incidents.

Clear efficiency targets, common public reporting and credible investigations into emergency-response failures would assist Nigerians decide whether or not public funding is translating into higher safety for lives and property.

For a rustic the place a single tanker explosion or market inferno can destroy livelihoods and devastate communities, preparedness can not stay a budgetary promise. It have to be demonstrated by means of operational readiness, measurable outcomes and accountability.

The query on the lips of many Nigerians is that this:
When the following tanker overturns, or a market goes up in flames, will the Federal Fire Service and different emergency responders have what they should save lives?

Or will Nigerians as soon as once more be left asking the painful query: Where is the hearth service when it’s wanted most?