By Nkechi Eze
The Director of the FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD), Engr. Muhammad Dikko, has urged the FCT Fire Service to prioritise emergency prevention and ensure prompt reporting of incidents to strengthen coordinated response operations across the Federal Capital Territory.
Dikko made the call when he received the management team of the FCT Fire Service, led by its Acting Director, Engr. Adeshina Abioye, during a courtesy visit to the FEMD Conference Room.
The FEMD director emphasised that timely information sharing among emergency response agencies was critical to facilitating the swift evacuation of victims and the delivery of assistance to affected persons.
“You must disseminate information on emergencies to us promptly to enable us to work together effectively, particularly in the evacuation of victims,” he said.
He urged the Fire Service to adopt a proactive approach to emergency management by placing greater emphasis on prevention, public enlightenment and preparedness rather than waiting for emergencies to occur before taking action.
Dikko also called for sustained public awareness campaigns on the dangers of bush burning, particularly during the dry season, noting that educating residents would help prevent avoidable fire outbreaks and other emergencies.
“We must begin to sensitise and enlighten FCT residents on the dangers of bush burning, particularly during the dry season,” he added.
Earlier, the Acting Director of the FCT Fire Service, Engr. Abioye, called for stronger collaboration between the two agencies to improve emergency preparedness, response and management across the territory.
Abioye disclosed that the current management of the Fire Service, which assumed office on October 2, 2026, had initiated efforts to strengthen institutional relationships and improve operational coverage.
He explained that the FCT had been divided into two operational zones, comprising the Abuja metropolitan area and the Area Councils, to facilitate faster responses to fire incidents and other emergencies.
According to him, the arrangement was designed to reduce response times and ensure that emergency services were more accessible to residents across the territory.
However, Abioye identified inadequate equipment and funding as major challenges confronting the Fire Service, noting that addressing the constraints would strengthen its operational capacity and improve service delivery.
