The Federal Fire Service entered the New Year on full operational alert, responding to multiple fire incidents across the country within the first hours of 2026.
In a statement, the service’ public relations officer, Paul Abraham, says the swift response follows a December directive by the Controller-General, Samuel Olumode, placing all firefighters on duty throughout the festive period.
In Abuja, firefighters responded at about twenty-three minutes past midnight to a fire outbreak at Cake Hot Restaurant in Wuse. The fire was contained through joint efforts with the FCT Fire Service, with no casualties recorded. Property valued at about one-point-five billion naira was saved, while losses were estimated at five hundred million naira.
Preliminary findings link the incident to objects thrown during New Year celebrations, reinforcing warnings against fireworks and open flames during the Harmattan season.
The service also confirms fire incidents in Lagos, Imo, Gombe, Kwara, and other states. In Yenagoa, a residential fire claimed the life of an eleven-year-old child, with investigations pointing to an unattended candle.
The Controller-General commiserates with affected families and again urges Nigerians to avoid fireworks and candles indoors, unplug electrical appliances when not in use, and report fires promptly to the nearest fire station.