The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service on Tuesday during the celebration of its 23rd anniversary, held at its Conference Hall in Abuja, disclosed that it has saved property worth N14.46 billion and 69 lives between January and September 2025.
According to the service, it received a total of 338 fire calls, nine rescue calls, lost property worth N6.07 billion, and lost 18 lives within the same period.
Giving the breakdown, the Service said it recorded the most fire calls in January (59) and February (64), saving the most properties in January (N1.59bn), February (N2.16bn), and March (N1.89bn).
It also recorded the most lives saved in March (30) and June (22), while losing properties worth N1.06bn in June alone.
The Comptroller of the FCT Fire Service, Adebayo Amiola, while addressing the gathering, said the agency’s greatest challenge was the overuse and ageing of its firefighting trucks, in addition to manpower shortages.
“As we celebrate, we must speak frankly about the challenges confronting us. One of our major concerns is the overuse and ageing of our firefighting trucks.
“Many of our trucks have been in service far beyond their optimal lifespan; the cost of keeping them functional through constant maintenance continues to rise, and this is no longer economical.
“Equally pressing is the issue of manpower shortage. The Federal Capital Territory has expanded rapidly in recent years, with many new districts emerging.
“However, our personnel strength and resources have not grown in proportion to this expansion,” Amiola said, just as he also called for more attention to be given to the development of additional fire stations across districts in the FCT, noting that ideally, every district should have a functional fire station.
“Every district should ideally have a functional fire station for quick response to emergencies. Unfortunately, several areas still lack such a presence.
“We therefore appeal that more attention be given to developing fire stations in key districts such as Wuse, Guzape, Mpape, Jikwoyi, Orozo, Karshi, Karsana, Idu, Karimo, and Lugbe, among others. Each of these locations is critical to the safety network of our ever-growing capital city,” the Fire Chief said.
Amiola thanked the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for his infrastructure development drive, while appealing for continued support from the FCT Administration.
“At this point, I must, with all humility and respect, make a passionate appeal to the Honourable Minister. The cost of running the operations of the FCT Fire Service is becoming increasingly high.
“The price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) alone runs into millions of naira monthly, aside from the substantial expenses involved in maintaining our ageing fleet and facilities. We therefore plead for continued support from the administration to ensure that our Service remains fully functional, responsive, and well-equipped to discharge its duties effectively,” Amiola said.
