The Controller General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Olumode Adeyemi Samuel (FCNA), has inaugurated a Special Task Force on Public and Private Building Audit at the Service Headquarters in Abuja.
The development was announced in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the FFS, P.O. Abraham, and made available to Naija News.
According to the statement, the creation of the Task Force is part of the Service’s renewed efforts to strengthen fire safety compliance and enhance national resilience in the face of increasing fire incidents across Nigeria.
The inauguration ceremony, themed “Strengthening Fire Safety Compliance in Public Buildings: A Call to Action for National Resilience,” underscored the Federal Fire Service’s commitment to proactive fire risk management and the prevention of avoidable disasters.
In his address, Controller General Adeyemi highlighted the rising frequency of fire outbreaks in major cities, citing recent incidents such as the Afritower fire in Lagos and several plaza fires in Abuja, as evidence of the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety standards.
He explained that the newly inaugurated Task Force has been mandated to:
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Map public buildings nationwide and classify them according to their fire risk levels;
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Inspect facilities to determine compliance with existing fire safety regulations; and
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Submit comprehensive recommendations to guide enforcement actions and future policy decisions.
Adeyemi reaffirmed the Service’s unwavering dedication to protecting lives, property, and national assets, stressing that “fire safety is not a choice but a shared responsibility.”
The Task Force is chaired by Assistant Controller General Bolarinde Tajudeen Muhammed, who heads the Inspection, Investigation, and Enforcement (I.I.E.) Department. Other key members include the Deputy Controller of Operations (FCT Command), the Provost Marshal, the National Public Relations Officer, and the Legal Director, who will serve as Secretariat.
Declaring the Task Force inaugurated, the Controller General charged members to discharge their duties with professionalism, integrity, and full dedication to the Fire Service’s mandate of safeguarding lives and property.
He also appealed to owners and managers of public, private, and high-rise buildings to cooperate fully with the Task Force during the audit exercise to ensure a safer national environment.