The Federal Fire Service (FFS) in Zamfara State has launched a fire safety sensitisation campaign ahead of the harmattan season, a period often associated with increased fire outbreaks across northern Nigeria.
The awareness campaign, themed “Towards a Better Zamfara Fire Week,” is being organised in collaboration with the NYSC Disaster Management Community Development Service (CDS) group. It aims to educate residents and stakeholders on preventive measures to reduce fire incidents.
Speaking during the event, acting State Comptroller of the Federal Fire Service, Sagir Garba, urged residents to remain vigilant and strictly follow safety precautions during the high-risk period. He advised households to switch off electrical appliances when not in use, discourage children from playing with fire, and avoid leaving cooking unattended.
Garba further emphasised the importance of keeping cooking gas cylinders outside kitchens, regularly checking electrical connections, and fixing identified faults promptly. He also cautioned residents against using open flames indoors, burning refuse without proper extinguishing, and refuelling generators while they are still running.
Although Fire Safety Week runs from Monday to Friday, Garba said the command has extended its sensitisation to seven days and will maintain ongoing public engagement throughout the season.
“Our target is to sustain the low level of fire incidents recorded during the rainy season. Sometimes during the rains, we go months without a single incident in Gusau,” he said.
Garba revealed that the state has recorded 67 fire incidents between January and November, noting that emergency calls usually surge during harmattan. He appealed for greater public cooperation to reduce avoidable disasters and reaffirmed the service’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
A representative of the NYSC Disaster Management CDS Group, Gyum Hyacinth, commended the fire service for the training. He said corps members had gained practical knowledge on fire control and pledged to take the awareness campaign to their communities.
The event was attended by security agencies, traditional leaders, and disaster management stakeholders.
