Reps probe fire service over death of three children in Abuja

…Issue 24-hour ultimatum to Fire Service Controller General

The leadership of the House of Representatives on Tuesday issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Mr. Jaji Abdulganiyu, to appear in person to give an account of last Friday’s fire truck accident that resulted in the death of three children and injured several others in Abuja.

The Minority Whip of the House, Ali Isah, issued the ultimatum after the FFS Controller General failed to honour an earlier invitation.

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It could be recalled that the incident resulted in the death of three children happened late Friday at the ECOWAS junction in Wuse 2, Abuja, during a firefighting operation at Avenue Plaza, Banex.

Isah said that the house had seen on social media, videos emerging from the scene of the accident but had not seen any public statement from the service.

The lawmaker directed that the service should immediately visit the family, engage and commiserate with them, take over the medical bills of those in the hospital and make arrangements for adequate compensations.

Isah said that the service should put measures in place to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.

“The non-appearance of the CG without any cogent reason is not appropriate. I do not think that at this point, there is any more serious engagement that is more than the invitation from the National Assembly, at a time we are all mourning the loss of lives of Nigerians.

“I believe I also support my colleagues that we have to request the DG to appear with all his team, either within 24 hours or a maximum of 48 hours.

“But before then, the organisations have to engage the family where necessary, even if it means compensation to the family.

“The government have to do that, the patient in the hospital, the organisations your agency, have to take full responsibility for the bills and the treatment of the patients,” he said.

Earlier, the Deputy Controller-General of Administration and Supplies, Mr Samuel Olumode, said that the service was very remorseful over the incident.

He explained that the CG was not around in person as he had to attend to other state matters, but delegated him and other officers to represent him.

Olumode said that no one would love to lose any life, especially because no one can create life or replace any once it is lost, blaming the death of three children on the urgency of the operation.

He explained that the fire truck driver involved in the accident did not stop for fear of mob action which he said was common against fighters.

The deputy controller-general, however, said that the driver reported to the nearest police station and had been in detention since then.

Olumode explained that the service, led by the CG himself, had taken several actions, including visiting the family of the deceased and those in the hospital.

He said that a delegation of fire officers also attended the funeral service at the National Mosque and subsequent burial.

The officer said that it was a difficult time for the family of the victims, saying that another condolence visit was paid to the mother of the boys.

He said that the service had also issued a public apology which had been aired and published by major media organisations in the country.

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