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NEMA’s Efforts in Addressing Tanker Fire Incidents in Nigeria and the Need for Stakeholder Collaboration
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
- 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. - 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. - 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. - 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.
- Government Agencies:
Ministries of Transportation and Petroleum should enforce stricter regulations on tanker operations, including vehicle roadworthiness, proper licensing, and driver training programs. - 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. - 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. - 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. - Legislators and Policymakers:
Laws mandating the adoption of safety measures and imposing penalties for negligence can create a culture of accountability among tanker operators. - 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
Scores of ISWAP Terrorists Killed in Devastating NAF Airstrikes in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has carried out a successful air interdiction, neutralizing scores of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and destroying their logistics hub in Arina, Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the air operation, which took place on March 9, 2025, at about 0600 hours, was executed based on credible human intelligence (HUMINT) and confirmatory intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
The sources intelligence revealed suspicious movements and a large gathering of terrorists at the location, prompting the coordinated air strikes.
According to the sources , the air strikes targeted terrorist logistics, structures, and fighters, dealing a significant blow to their operational capabilities.
“The precision airstrikes effectively neutralized many ISWAP fighters and disrupted their logistics chain in the area. The operation further weakens the group’s ability to launch attacks on civilian and military targets,” the source stated.
Scores of ISWAP Terrorists Killed in Devastating NAF Airstrikes in Borno
Buni Approves Employment of 267 Health Technicians in Yobe
By: Michael Mike
Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni has approved the employment of 267 health technicians to boost manpower requirements in health facilities across the state.
According to a statement on Monday by the spokesman to the governor, Mallam Mamman Mohammed, the employment covers 140 Buni Scholars who recently graduated in various fields of medical sciences in India.
Mohammed said the Buni Scholars include 43 Bsc Nursing, 43 Bsc Pharmacy, 22 Bsc Medical Laboratory Science, 24 Bsc Radiology, 7 Bsc Optometry and 1 Bsc Public Health graduates.
The spokesman said the governor had similarly approved the employment of 127 health technician currently serving as volunteers in health institutions across the state.
He said the governor directed the employment of the medical technicians who graduated earlier but were not formally employed but had been serving as volunteers in the medical centers.
According to him, the Buni Scholars are placed on CONHESS 8, while the volunteer technicians were placed on CONHESS 6/2.
The Buni administration had in the last five years consistently offered automatic employment to graduates of the state-owned Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery to improve personnel in the medical facilities.
It could be recalled that, the Buni administration established primary healthcare centres in the political wards of the state to bring healthcare delivery to the doorstep of the people.
Similarly, the government upgraded the four General Hospitals in Gashua, Potiskum, Geidam and Buni Yadi to Specialist hospitals, and eight Primary health centers to General hospitals while, the State Teaching hospital was equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to make Healthcare delivery accessible and affordable across the state.
Buni Approves Employment of 267 Health Technicians in Yobe
Troops Neutralize Bandit Leader ‘Yellow Aboki’ in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops conducting clearance operations in Zamfara State have neutralized a notorious bandit leader known as ‘Yellow Aboki’, a close ally of the late terror kingpin, Hassan Bamamu.
Security sources revealed to Zagazola Makama that Yellow Aboki was eliminated in a recent encounter with the troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA in the North West of Tsafe LGA.
His demise comes a weeks after the military’s successful operation that led to the elimination of Hassan Dantawaye also known as Bamamu, a feared bandit commander who was one of his closest associate.
It was gathered that Yellow Aboki had been consolidating his control over criminal activities in Zamfara following the death of Hassan Nabamamu .
He was believed to have been operating within the areas of Bamamu, Dan Mali, Agamalafiya, and Makera, where he coordinated violent attacks and kidnappings.
The Military sustained its crackdown on bandit kingpins in identified enclaves in Zamfara, Sokoto and other troubled areas in the North West.
The sustained pressure has diminished the capacity pf the bandits to confront the troops instead, they had resorted to pockets of attacks within vulnerable communities with less security coverage.
Troops Neutralize Bandit Leader ‘Yellow Aboki’ in Zamfara
Scores of ISWAP Terrorists Killed in Devastating NAF Airstrikes in Borno
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