FIC Report (Benue State) – The Federal Fire Service (FFS), Benue State Command, on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, decorated fifty-six (56) newly promoted officers during a colourful ceremony held in Makurdi, with senior security chiefs and stakeholders in attendance.
Speaking at the event, the Zonal Controller, Federal Fire Service, Zone ‘H’, Assistant Controller General (ACG) Ahmad Muhammad Gana, Mni, charged the newly promoted officers to demonstrate greater commitment, discipline and professionalism in the discharge of their duties, noting that promotion comes with higher responsibility and expectations.
ACG Gana described the decoration ceremony as a moment of joy and recognition of professional excellence, adding that it reflects the Service’s commitment to rewarding merit, hard work, discipline and dedication. He expressed deep appreciation to President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, OON, for their unwavering support towards repositioning the Federal Fire Service.
He also commended the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Samuel Adeyemi Olumode, Mni, MiFireE, FCNA, for ensuring that promotions within the Service are strictly merit-based and timely, stressing that human capacity development remains critical to achieving the Service’s mandate.
According to the Zonal Controller, the promotion of 56 officers across various cadres in the Makurdi Command will further strengthen operational efficiency, particularly at a time when the nation is grappling with market fires, tanker explosions, climate change-related incidents and other safety challenges. He urged officers to be proactive, ready for deployment to critical duty posts and to strictly adhere to the National Fire Safety Code, especially in building design, planning, construction and installation of fire safety equipment.
Earlier in his address, the State Controller, Federal Fire Service, Benue State Command, Deputy Controller of Fire (DCF) Konga Samuel, described the ceremony as a celebration of dedication, discipline and years of loyal service to the nation.
On behalf of the Controller-General, the Zonal Controller, Zone ‘H’, and the Management of the Service, DCF Konga appreciated the presence of heads of sister security agencies, noting that their attendance demonstrated strong inter-agency cooperation and mutual respect.
He announced that a total of 56 officers of the Benue State Command were promoted and decorated, emphasizing that promotion in the Federal Fire Service is earned through commitment, professionalism and exemplary conduct.
While congratulating the officers, the State Controller reminded them that their new ranks demand higher standards of leadership, integrity and accountability. He urged them to uphold the core values of the Service, work harmoniously with sister security agencies and see their promotion as a call to higher service.
The ceremony was graced by the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command; the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; the State Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service; the Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service; the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Benue State; and other senior government officials.
In a goodwill message, the State Controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, CIS Andrew Wanogho Esq,advised the newly promoted officers to exhibit positive attitudinal change befitting their new ranks and to embrace modern technology for personal and professional development.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Chief Superintendent of Fire, Rhoda Jooji expressed gratitude to God and the Management of the Federal Fire Service for the elevation, pledging renewed dedication and commitment to duty.
The event climaxed with a formal decoration of the officers and prayers for continued success in their career and service to the Nation.
Signed
VERONICA AZEMBA
For Head of Center FIC Makurdi
