Federal Fire Service Prevents ₦1.8 Billion Loss in Abuja Market
Federal fire service at Kugbo Furniture Market
A coordinated emergency operation by the Federal Fire Service (FFS) and the FCT Fire Service successfully contained a major fire outbreak at the Kugbo Furniture Market in Abuja on Sunday morning. While the inferno caused significant damage to parts of the informal trade hub, officials confirmed that the rapid response prevented the destruction of assets valued at approximately ₦1.8 billion, out of a total estimated market value exceeding ₦2 billion.
Emergency Response and Mobilisation
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of 19 January 2026, was reported to authorities at approximately 8:37 a.m. The Federal Fire Service deployed a Special Unit from the National Headquarters, equipped with two high-capacity ground monitor appliances. Supporting units from the Nyanya Fire Station and the FCT Fire Service also arrived on the scene to manage the blaze, which was intensified by the presence of highly combustible materials common in furniture manufacturing.
Containment and Technical Assessment
Firefighters battled the flames for over three hours before achieving full containment. According to a statement by DCF Paul Abraham, the National Public Relations Officer for the FFS, preliminary investigations suggest the fire originated from an electrical surge. The strategic deployment of water monitors allowed responders to create a firebreak, successfully isolating the inferno and preventing it from spreading to adjacent sections of the market.
Economic Impact and Institutional Oversight
The Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, commended the professionalism of the crews involved. He emphasised that the estimated ₦1.8 billion in salvaged property underscores the economic importance of rapid fire intervention in commercial zones. The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding electrical safety and fire-prevention infrastructure within Nigeria’s major open-air markets.
The Kugbo incident serves as a critical reminder for market associations and facility managers to implement more robust fire safety protocols. While the joint efforts of the FFS and FCT Fire Service mitigated a potential economic catastrophe, the suspected cause an electrical surge points toward a need for improved utility monitoring in high-density trade areas. Enhanced collaboration between traders and emergency services remains essential to safeguarding the nation’s commercial infrastructure.
