Is Nigeria’s Fire Service Delivering?

From tanker explosions to burning properties, filling stations, markets and buying malls, recurring fires throughout Nigeria proceed to assert lives and destroy property value 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 tools, personnel, and sources wanted to avoid wasting lives when catastrophe strikes.

From highways and filling stations to crowded markets, warehouses, properties and buying malls, hearth outbreaks proceed to threaten lives, livelihoods and investments. Traders lose their companies, households lose their sources of revenue, 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 offended victims might discover tough to just accept.

Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the aftermath of uncontrolled infernos is usually 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 sources, services, and expertise 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 useful tools, improved response instances 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 buying advanced. 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 assert lives. In March, a collision involving a gasoline tanker and a tipper at Sango-Tedo alongside the Lekki–Epe Expressway in Lagos reportedly killed one individual 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 reviews 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 at the very least eight folks sustained burn accidents.

Also on October 15, hearth engulfed elements 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 gasoline 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 value thousands and thousands of naira.

Market fires have equally destroyed retailers, items and livelihoods in Nnewi, Kano, Yobe, Offa, Jos, Onitsha, Lagos, Ilorin and Ibadan, amongst different areas. 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 speedy destruction, these incidents elevate questions on hearth prevention, emergency entry, the supply of specialized tools and the flexibility of responders to succeed in affected areas rapidly.

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 beneath the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Interior.

Its tasks embody 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 obtained 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, protecting 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 beneath tough circumstances, useful automobiles, dependable water provides, sufficient 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 necessary questions on emergency-response capability.

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

These considerations are notably vital throughout tanker fires, industrial emergencies and blazes in congested markets, the place the character of the fireplace and availability of applicable tools can decide the 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 mechanically blaming firefighters each time a catastrophe brought on intensive injury, noting that site visitors congestion, inaccessible areas, insufficient water provides, tools shortages and the size of an outbreak might have an effect on response instances.

However, Nnaji careworn the necessity for larger transparency in public expenditure and operational efficiency. He mentioned fire-service authorities ought to present dependable info on useful automobiles, staffing, response instances and tools 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 useful. 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 useful 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 tools and firefighting chemical compounds 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 services and expertise to answer fuel-related fires, constructing collapses, floods, and highway accidents.

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

FFS Explains Challenges, Defends Response Times

Responding to considerations 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 sources should be assessed in opposition to Nigeria’s inhabitants, geographical measurement, increasing cities, and rising financial actions.

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

According to Abraham, the Service’s tasks prolong 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 sources shouldn’t be judged by car numbers alone, however by their situation, distribution, suitability and skill to fulfill the dangers in numerous areas.

A tanker hearth involving massive portions of petrol, for example, might require specialised firefighting foam, substantial water provides, protecting tools, skilled personnel and the coordinated deployment of a number of home equipment. Industrial fires and outbreaks in congested markets might equally demand specialised tools and automobiles able to navigating slender streets.

On efforts to enhance operational capability, Abraham mentioned the Service was pursuing the rehabilitation and modernisation of firefighting home equipment, personnel growth, fire-safety inspections, public schooling, inter-agency collaboration and enlargement 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 trendy home equipment had been prepared for commissioning and deployment.

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

The goal, in response to him, was not merely to amass extra automobiles however to make sure that useful tools, skilled personnel and applicable emergency services had been out there 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 duty should be decided by investigating the circumstances of every incident fairly than mechanically blaming a specific company or particular person.

He defined that emergency response entails a number of companies, 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 companies could also be required to handle site visitors, safe incident scenes, facilitate evacuation and supply medical help.

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

However, he careworn that the place investigations set up negligence, misconduct or failure to discharge assigned tasks, applicable administrative, disciplinary or authorized procedures ought to comply with. Where delays outcome from systemic weaknesses, the related authorities should take corrective motion.

He additionally highlighted the tasks 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 gasoline close to Nkpogu Roundabout alongside Elekahia Road in Port Harcourt. He mentioned the intervention helped stop ignition and avert what might have grow to be a serious 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 applicable firefighting home equipment, specialised suppression strategies and coordinated emergency operations.

To enhance response instances, Abraham known as for strategically positioned hearth stations and emergency outposts, useful, well-maintained home equipment, dependable emergency communication methods, improved site visitors administration, and common joint workout routines amongst related companies.

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

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

Beyond Budgetary Allocations

Nigeria’s recurring hearth disasters elevate questions that can not be answered by funds figures alone. The nation wants useful firefighting tools, skilled personnel, strategically positioned stations, dependable emergency communication methods and efficient coordination amongst federal and state companies.

Just as importantly, Nigerians want dependable info exhibiting 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 tools, enhance coaching and strengthen operational capability. Assessing their affect, nevertheless, requires verifiable info on the situation of its fleet, staffing, station protection, response instances 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’t stay a budgetary promise. It should be demonstrated by way of operational readiness, measurable outcomes and accountability.

The query on the lips of many Nigerians is that this:
When the subsequent 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 fireplace service when it’s wanted most?