During a fire prevention and management sensitization session conducted at the Headquarters 1 Division Nigerian Army, Kaduna, it was revealed that in 2022, Nigeria reported more than 2,056 fire incidents, which resulted in the loss of more than N1 trillion worth of property. Maj. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who is General Officer Commanding (1 Division) Nigerian Army, revealed this information, noting that the upsurge in fire incidents in Nigeria also affected the Nigerian military’s assets.
The Maj. Gen., represented by Brig. Gen. Ogochukwu Ugeleka clarified that Nigeria reported more incidences of fire accidents in 2022, resulting in the huge loss of property. The statement also indicated that domestic fires were responsible for more than 41 percent of the overall amount of fire incidents that occurred in the neighboring country(Ghana). He further explained that the seminar was scheduled as part of the Army’s annual program to engage the communities of barracks and cantonments in conversation about fire safety.
Population growth and other human factors contribute to fire incidents.
He stated that there had been an increasing rise in fires due to population expansion, unstable power, carelessness, and illegal electrical wiring, along with other factors, and that the Nigerian Army was also harmed by the fire spikes. Maj. Gen. Lagbaja said that the fire occurrences caused damage to its infrastructure and put the lives of the servicemen and their families who were housed in barracks as well as cantonments in jeopardy. On January 24, 2021, a fire broke out at the Depot of the Nigerian Army in Zaria, destroying 15 buildings.
Moreover, the fire has been responsible for the destruction of several officers’ and soldiers’ quarters, as well as essential military assets located within barracks, cantonments, and other critical infrastructure in the Area of Responsibility for the Division. He underlined the necessity of maintaining awareness of fire prevention and control in all military barracks by conducting sensitization campaigns on fire prevention and management and establishing bodies in all divisions and units to promote the campaign. He said this should be done in order to ensure the program’s sustainability.
Nigerians should use insurance firms’ property protection measures.
In a report, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) stated that the exceptionally dry weather that occurred just before the rainy season was to blame for the increased number of fire accidents that occurred in markets all throughout the country. According to Mr. Mustapha Ahmed, the Director General of NEMA, the agency went on to further advise Nigerians to use insurance firms as a method of securing and protecting their possessions and businesses and also as a way to mitigate risk transfer in the scenario of a fire.
According to Mustapha Ahmed said, fire, just like any other natural disaster, has always been a historical event for humanity. Yet the frequency of these incidents and the effects they have had over the past few weeks have warranted a major concern and a need for action from all relevant parties. In addition, he mentioned that in December of the previous year, he had warned the general public about the risks of fire disasters occurring during the dry season.
Commencement of the rainy season is characterized by windstorms.
Similar to the case with the beginning of the dry season, the commencement of the rainy season is also marked by characteristic windstorms which swiftly spread flammable material in the form of dry plants and agricultural waste. Prevention is by far the most effective method of firefighting. Establishing an environment of preparedness and adaptability among officials, communities, and members of the general public is the most effective strategy to reduce the likelihood of a catastrophic event such as a fire.
Related Links
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Nigeria losses N1tn in 2022 to fire incidents. – Number of occurrences rose to 2,056, resulting in huge losses of property. – Express your point of view.
It is necessary to maintain awareness of fire. Also prevention and management on fire should be taught to ensure the program is kept in existence.
This is such a very big loss of asset for the country. Fire accident is always brutal and hard to stop. I pray we don’t witness such again.
The government must look for ways to reduce the rate at which fire incidents happen in the country because it is getting out of hand.
The need of promoting a culture of fire safety in all military housing by means of divisional and unit-level committees and regular enlightenment programs on burn mitigation and control.
The national fire occurrence rate has reached crisis proportions, and the government must take action to bring it down.
People need to be addressed of what fire could do. It doesn’t mean fire can start from matches but there’s a lot which could leads to fire but people needs awareness. Imagine loosing 1trillion
The severity and regularity of these instances should justify serious concern and prompt response from all responsible parties because it is getting too much.
Loosing 1trillion naira in a year to fire the s too much to bare. It seems like a loss of fund. Fire prevention and management system should be strengthened.
This is such a huge loss of property people should be careful about fire incident occurring we should be trying our possible best in preventing fire from happening so to reduce fire incident
Seeing this costly accident, I will say it is crucial that all military barracks maintain a culture of fire safety through regular campaigns to further the cause of fire safety.
We are losing money that we are supposed to use to invest in other key sectors of the country and that is very bad, things must change soonest.
Fire prevention should be made paramount at this stage. Any occurrence that will lead to loosing assets worth millions needs to avoided at all cost.
We really lost a lot to fire incident last year.
I hope we take safety precautions on how to ensure safety at home and also how to tackle fire incidents.
Nigeria losses N1tn in 2022 to fire incidents. That was a big loss for the victims. Fire station should be build in every market across the country. It will help and reduce risk of fire
The fire accident has done lots of damages to individual and to the economy in general and most of the fire inccident are cause by human factors which can be avoided but because most of Nigerians are very wicked that is why everything goes.
Because of the magnitude of this loss, everyone needs to be extra cautious around open flames, and we must do everything in our power to cut down on fires.
The number of fire incidents recorded last year is much and losses incurred. Seminars should be organized sensitizing the people of the need to always adopt preventive measure against fire and emphasizing on the important of insurances to life and properties.
The increase in the number of occurrences of fire which has resulted in huge losses is quite alarming. Several efforted should be made by stakeholders, the government and concerned agents towards sensitization of the people by organizing programs that keep the people informed.
Fire management and prevention training is essential. Also fire services need to be more responsible and efficient. They need to be readily available for emergency
The necessity of fostering a culture of fire safety in all military housing through the creation of divisional and unit-level committees and frequent educational sessions on the prevention and treatment of burn injuries.