The Federal Fire Service, Niger State Command, has disclosed that no fewer than 430 fire outbreaks were recorded across the state between January and December 2025.
Naijaonpoint reports that the Controller of the command, AC Alikali Mohammed, made the disclosure on Saturday while briefing journalists in Minna.
Mohammed said officers and men of the command were swiftly deployed to all affected locations to bring the incidents under control.
According to him, beyond containing the outbreaks, the command successfully saved lives and properties worth several billions of naira during the period under review.
He attributed part of the success recorded to effective response strategies and improved collaboration with other relevant agencies.
The controller acknowledged the strong working relationship between the Federal Fire Service and the Niger State Fire Service, noting that the synergy had greatly enhanced emergency response, particularly within the state capital.
“We have been collaborating effectively in the course of discharging our statutory functions at the state capital to save lives and property of the citizens,” Mohammed said.
Mohammed explained that the command regularly sensitises residents on fire safety measures through its annual National Fire Safety Week, usually organised at the end of the last quarter of the year.
“At the end of every last quarter of the year, the command organises a National Fire Safety Week, during which the public is sensitised,” he said.
He added that officers also visit worship centres, schools, marketplaces and government institutions to educate people on preventive measures and appropriate actions during fire emergencies.
“Visits are made to worship centres, schools, marketplaces, as well as government organisations to enlighten them on safety precautions in case of any fire outbreaks and what they are supposed to do,” he said.
Despite these efforts, the controller identified limited public awareness of the service’s emergency contact lines as a major challenge.
“However, the major challenge we are having is that many people don’t have our emergency lines and it is good that everybody has it,” Mohammed said.
Mohammed decried what he described as the public’s lukewarm attitude to fire safety rules and regulations, noting that negligence remained a major contributor to several fire incidents.
He urged residents to take safety guidelines seriously and to avoid practices that could trigger preventable disasters.
The controller called on members of the public to cooperate with the command by providing timely and useful information that would assist firefighters in carrying out their duties more effectively.
According to him, collective responsibility and improved safety consciousness are key to reducing the incidence of fire outbreaks in the state.