The Niger State Command of the Federal Fire Service has reported a significant number of fire incidents in the state capital over the past year. Assistant Controller Alikali Mohammad disclosed that 430 separate fire outbreaks were recorded across various locations in Minna between January and December 2025.
Fire Service Response and Public Safety Challenges
Controller Alikali explained that personnel from the command were deployed swiftly to each incident to contain the fires and prevent greater damage. He credited the effective collaboration between his federal command and the Niger State Fire Service for the successful operations, which he said saved numerous lives and properties valued at several billions of naira.
However, the Controller identified major hurdles in their work. He lamented the public's general disregard for fire safety rules, noting that many disasters stemmed from negligence. A critical issue is that many residents do not know the service's emergency contact numbers. "The major challenge we are having is that many people don't have our emergency lines, adding that our emergency line is key," Alikali stated.
Ongoing Safety Initiatives and Public Appeal
To combat this, the command organises a National Fire Safety Week every final quarter of the year. During this period, teams visit worship centres, schools, marketplaces, and government offices to educate people on fire prevention and appropriate emergency responses.
Alikali urged the public to proactively engage with the Fire Service by providing useful information to help them perform their duties more effectively. He emphasised that community cooperation is essential for optimal safety.
New Federal-State Partnership on Housing and Agriculture
In a related development, the Federal Government and the Niger State government have signed a strategic agreement to develop integrated farming and housing estates. This initiative, tagged 'Sustainable Integrated Productive Communities (SIPC)', is designed to create a new economic model that unlocks rural capital, expands affordable housing, and strengthens agricultural value chains.
Anchored by the Federal Ministry of Finance, the project moves away from salary-based mortgages. Instead, it links home ownership directly to agricultural productivity and income generation. Niger State has committed over 100,000 hectares of land for the pilot phase.
At the signing ceremony, the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, said the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu's agenda focusing on green growth and job creation. She described it as creating "bankable projects that combine housing, agriculture, and infrastructure."
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, stated that the SIPC initiative would help formalise rural settlements, improve land use, and reduce the pressure of rural-urban migration on city infrastructure and housing markets.
