FIC REPORT (KADUNA STATE) – The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, has called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, businesses, community leaders and residents to strengthen fire prevention, public safety and emergency response across the state.
Dr. Balarabe made the call at the opening ceremony of the 2026 National Fire Week, organised by the Federal Fire Service, Kaduna State Command, at the Federal Secretariat Conference Hall, Kawo, Kaduna.
The Deputy Governor, who was represented by her Senior Special Assistant on Stakeholder Relations, Engr. Martins Galadima, stressed that fire prevention should be regarded as a collective responsibility rather than a duty left exclusively to firefighters and emergency response agencies.
She disclosed that Kaduna State recorded 306 fire outbreaks in 2025, resulting in 10 deaths and 48 injuries, while properties estimated at approximately ₦6.4 billion were destroyed.
Although the number of incidents had declined from 523 recorded in 2019, Dr. Balarabe expressed concern that fire outbreaks had continued to average about 300 annually over the past three years, underscoring the need for sustained preventive measures and increased public awareness.
She identified electrical faults, improper use of electrical appliances, careless handling of fire, unsafe storage of flammable materials and indiscriminate bush burning as some of the major causes of fire outbreaks.
According to her, most of these incidents are preventable through responsible behaviour, compliance with safety regulations and the adoption of simple but effective fire prevention practices.
Dr. Balarabe therefore urged households to conduct regular checks on electrical installations, avoid overloading electrical sockets, switch off appliances before going to bed and exercise caution when handling cooking gas and other combustible materials.
She also called on business owners, market associations and petroleum station operators to ensure the availability of functional fire extinguishers, maintain accessible emergency exits, organise regular fire safety training for their employees and strictly comply with established fire safety regulations.
The Deputy Governor further emphasised the importance of effective coordination and synergy among the Federal Fire Service, Kaduna State Fire and Public Safety Service, Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant emergency response institutions.
She noted that a coordinated emergency response system, supported by adequate equipment, professional training and timely communication, would significantly improve the state’s capacity to prevent and manage fire disasters.
Dr. Balarabe commended officers and men of the Federal Fire Service for their courage, professionalism and dedication to protecting lives and property, while urging government institutions, corporate organisations and members of the public to support their operations through cooperation, adequate resources and responsible conduct.
She reiterated that the most effective way to fight fire is to prevent it, emphasising that collective responsibility, continuous public enlightenment and timely intervention remain critical to reducing fire incidents and safeguarding communities.
The occasion featured practical fire simulation exercises, which demonstrated the operational preparedness, technical competence and combat readiness of officers and men of the Federal Fire Service in preventing and responding to fire emergencies.
The 2026 National Fire Week provided an opportunity to promote public awareness, strengthen institutional partnerships and encourage citizens to embrace fire safety practices in their homes, workplaces, markets and communities.
Signed:
Muhammad Gwani
AD FIRC KADUNA
2nd October,2026.
