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NEMA’s Efforts in Addressing Tanker Fire Incidents in Nigeria and the Need for Stakeholder Collaboration

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NEMA’s Efforts in Addressing Tanker Fire Incidents in Nigeria and the Need for Stakeholder Collaboration

Tanker fire incidents in Nigeria have caused significant loss of lives and property, creating a pressing need for proactive solutions. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), under the leadership of the Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has been at the forefront of addressing these challenges through various initiatives, including prevention strategies, emergency response, and public awareness campaigns. However, for these efforts to achieve sustained impact, there is a critical need for stakeholders to complement NEMA’s efforts.

NEMA’s Initiatives

  1. Training and Capacity Building:
    NEMA has organized training programs to equip grassroots volunteers, community members, and members of the Tanker Drivers Association with skills to prevent and respond to tanker accidents. For example, in December 2024, NEMA trained community volunteers across the country on fire safety and accident prevention strategies, especially in areas prone to fire disasters during the harmattan season.
  2. Collaboration with Key Agencies:
    The agency collaborates with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Fire Service to manage and prevent tanker crashes, focusing on providing emergency services and relief to victims.
  3. Emergency Relief and Assistance:
    NEMA has consistently responded to tanker fire incidents by distributing relief materials to affected victims and coordinating with first responders to address immediate needs.
  4. Public Awareness Campaigns:
    Advocacy and education remain central to NEMA’s work. The agency emphasizes the need for communities to adopt safety measures, including the use of anti-spill locks on fuel tankers. Additionally, NEMA actively discourages citizens from scooping spilled fuel from accident scenes, a dangerous practice that often leads to fatalities during tanker fire incidents. The agency’s campaigns educate the public on the risks of explosions and emphasize the importance of evacuating such scenes immediately.

The Role of Stakeholders in Complementing NEMA’s Efforts

While NEMA’s interventions are commendable, the scope and complexity of the issue require the active involvement of multiple stakeholders.

  1. Government Agencies:
    Ministries of Transportation and Petroleum should enforce stricter regulations on tanker operations, including vehicle roadworthiness, proper licensing, and driver training programs.
  2. Oil and Gas Companies:
    These companies must ensure that tankers are equipped with modern safety technologies, such as anti-spill locks and fire suppression systems. They should also invest in emergency response training for drivers and transport personnel.
  3. Tanker Owners and Operators:
    Private sector stakeholders, including the Tanker Drivers Association, should ensure compliance with road safety standards and promote routine maintenance of vehicles.
  4. Community Organizations:
    Grassroots organizations can play a critical role in sensitizing local communities about the risks of tanker fire incidents and how to respond effectively during emergencies.
  5. Legislators and Policymakers:
    Laws mandating the adoption of safety measures and imposing penalties for negligence can create a culture of accountability among tanker operators.
  6. The Media:
    Media outlets should amplify awareness campaigns, highlighting the dangers of unsafe practices, such as scooping fuel from accident sites, and promoting NEMA’s preventive initiatives.

Conclusion

Tackling recurring tanker fire incidents in Nigeria is a collective responsibility. While NEMA has laid a solid foundation through its proactive efforts, the active involvement of stakeholders from various sectors is essential to achieve long-term safety and resilience. Collaboration will not only reduce the frequency of tanker-related disasters but also save lives and protect communities across the nation.

Press Unit
NEMA Headquarters, Abuja
3rd February 2025

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VP’s Wife Consoles Maiduguri Bomb Blast Victims

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VP’s Wife Consoles Maiduguri Bomb Blast Victims


Calls for united front against insurgency.

By: Our Reporter

Wife of the Vice President Federal Republic of Nigeria Mrs Nana Shettima has stressed the need for all hands to be on desk to put an end to the more than a decade insurgency in the north east .

She made the appeal while speaking to journalists in Maiduguri shortly after she visited victims of gmboru market Mosque bomb blast in the Borno State capital.

In an emotional interview, Mrs Nana Shettima, wife of the Vice‑President, speaking on behalf of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu,described barbaric suicide bomb attack that struck the Gamboru market mosque after Maghrib prayer on Wednesday as unfortunate.

She prayed for the dead, called for unity, and vowed the support of the First Lady’s office for affected families.

Mrs Nana Shettima said she was in Maiduguri to offer condolences and relief to victims and families.

She visited the homes of the bereaved in Mashamari, Ummarari Millionaire’s Quarters and Gamboru Ward, where she prayed for the deceased, asked Allah to grant them eternal rest, and sought strength for families bearing these irreparable losses.

To cushion immediate hardship, Mrs Shettima presented financial support to affected families seven widows each received ₦1,000,000 (total ₦7,000,000).

She also visited the Maiduguri State Specialist Hospital and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), where she was shown around by Dr. Baba Shehu, Medical Director of the State Specialist Hospital, and received by Professor B. Kagu, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Council at UMTH, and Dr. Bunu Bukar.

After going round the patients beds at both hospitals Mrs Nana Shettima gave ₦500,000 to each of the 14 patients still on admission, offered words of consolation, and prayed for their speedy recovery.

The wife of the vice president reiterated her appeal for communal calm and solidarity in the face of tragedy.

The visit signals the First Lady’s office’s commitment to immediate humanitarian relief and moral support for affected families.

The visit underlines the first lady’s office commitment to spiritual consolation with practical assistance, targeting both households that lost breadwinners and those receiving medical care.
Mrs Nana Shettima confirmed she was in Maiduguri expressly on behalf of the first lady of the nation to sympathise with the victims.

Those who accompanied her includes the wife of the Borno State Governor Dr Falmata Babagana Umara Zullum,wife of the Deputy Governor Hajiya Maimuna Umar Kadafur, and the Borno State Apc women leader Hajiya Fati Alkali Kakinna among other top female government officials.

VP’s Wife Consoles Maiduguri Bomb Blast Victims

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Police detain inspector, girlfriend over missing rifle in Taraba

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Police detain inspector, girlfriend over missing rifle in Taraba

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police in Taraba have detained an inspector and his girlfriend following the reported loss of an assault rifle along the Wukari–Jootar Federal Highway.

According to the source, the missing firearm belonged to Insp. Joshua Charles, aged 45, attached to the Safer Highway Patrol team.

The sources told Zagazola Makama that on Dec. 25, at about 3:00 p.m., the inspector reportedly left his duty post to Wukari town, leaving behind three other officers Insp. Haruna Galadima, Insp. Isah Waziri and Insp. Umar Mohammed who remained on duty.

“At about 8:30 p.m., the inspector’s girlfriend, one Ruth Alphancis of Sabon Gari area in Jalingo, who has been cohabiting with him since August 2025, returned from Jootar village in Benue and claimed to have seen an unidentified person breaking out of the house,” the source said.

He added that on the inspector’s return from Wukari town, allegedly in a drunken state, he discovered that his Type 06 assault rifle, loaded with 25 rounds of live ammunition, which he said he left inside the room, was missing.

The breach number of the rifle could not be immediately ascertained, the source said.

Following the report, the sources said operatives visited the scene, while efforts were intensified to recover the missing firearm and apprehend those responsible.

“The inspector and his girlfriend are currently in detention to aid investigation, while collaborative efforts involving local residents and hunters are ongoing to recover the rifle,” the source added.
End

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Troops of Operation Hadin Kai repel Boko Haram attack in Adamawa

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Troops of Operation Hadin Kai repel Boko Haram attack in Adamawa

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with other security elements, have repelled an attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists on Mayo Ladde village in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa.

The attack occurred at about 9:00 p.m. on Friday in Mayo Ladde, a border community linking Askira/Uba Local Government Area and the Sambisa Forest axis of Borno.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that troops supported by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), swiftly responded to a distress call on the attempted incursion.

“The terrorists attempted to attack the village but were decisively engaged by the troops, who repelled them and forced them to retreat,” the source said.

According to the sources, no casualty was recorded during the incident, as residents of the village had fled the area before the arrival of the terrorists.

The source added that troops had intensified patrols and surveillance in the general area and along the border communities to forestall further attacks and deny the terrorists freedom of movement.

Operation Hadin Kai reiterated its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP elements to ensure the safety of lives and property in the North-East.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai repel Boko Haram attack in Adamawa

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