According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Federal Fire Service (FFS) prevented 2,106 fatalities and N934.70 billion worth of property damage in various fire events around Nigeria in 2025.
FFS Deputy Controller-General Ijeoma Achi-Okidi, who oversees Policy, Planning, Research, and Statistics, provided the data to NAN on Thursday in Abuja.
According to the report, FFS reported 1,866 fire events during the reviewed year, resulting in 114 fatalities, 198 civilian deaths, and five firefighter injuries.
Approximately 92.59% of the entire value at risk was successfully protected by FFS, as evidenced by the anticipated property damage of N74.75 billion.
It said, “The overall fatality rate was 61.09 deaths per 1,000 fire incidents, highlighting the significant human impact, despite effective property protection.”
According to a breakdown of fire outbreaks by type of properties, there were 693 occurrences in private homes and 444 in public buildings.
There were 190 fires in markets and trading centers, 177 in cars, and 105 in other sorts of establishments.
“Thirty-nine people perished in market and trading center fires, twenty-two people perished in car fires, eighteen people perished in public/government office fires, ten people perished in bank fires, and ten people perished in other fires.
According to the research, “more than one-third of all deaths were caused by market fires, probably as a result of high occupancy and quick fire spread in crowded trading environments.”
It also showed that property worth N22.27 billion was lost as a result of market fires, followed by private homes (N14.67 billion), public/government buildings (N11 billion), educational institutions (N8.16 billion), and fuel/gas stations (N4.92 billion).
According to the research, electrical-related problems, including power surges and overloads and wiring defects, were the primary causes of fire events in 2025, accounting for approximately 70% of all fires that year.
“Gas explosion fires had the highest fatality rate per incident, despite occurring less frequently than other sources of ignition,” it stated.
Samuel Olumode, the FFS Controller General (CG), admitted in an interview with NAN that the service produced notable asset-protection and life-saving results during the reviewed year.
According to Olumode, the service would keep stepping up its efforts to protect people and property.
He promised that efforts were underway to improve public awareness, forensic fire investigation capabilities, and preventive measures.
He claims that lowering fires, casualties, and financial losses will depend heavily on infrastructure safety.
For efficient fire management, the CG asked Nigerians to assist firemen at fire situations.
“In order to better serve Nigerians, the service has started sensitization programs and staff training because prevention is better than reaction,” he stated.
