Friday, 21 May 2021: A loss of N1.2 billion was recorded by the Niger State Fire Service from 196 fire outbreaks in the first quarter of 2021.

According to the Controller, Niger State Fire Service, Alhaji Bello Salihu, in an interview on Thursday, 300 fire outbreaks was recorded in the past, but the number became low due to intensive fire prevention campaigns to business premises, organization and the public.  

“We are believing and hoping that in the second quarter we will do more in the area of campaigning and sensitization to bring down the rate of fire outbreaks to the barest minimum.

“In this first quarter, we recorded 13 deaths.

“We recorded two deaths in Minna, five in Bida, four in Suleja and two in Lapai.”

The Controller stated that the Niger State Fire Service, (NSFS), retrieved property worth of N2.4 billion in the first quarter.

“We are foreseeing that in the second quarter we will have no loss as we hope to curb anything that will bring about fire disaster,” he said.

Salihu commended Governor Sani Bello on the state of the art equipment provided for effective firefighting, saying this contributed to achieving the feat.

“We thank him for the fire engines, fire ambulances and fire tankers that are operational in more than 15 stations.

“With this, we can fight and surmount fire in the state no matter the magnitude.”