By Olayemi Esan
The Controller General of the Federal Fire Service
(FFS), Dr Liman Ibrahim has threatened to shut down stations and
withdraw firemen from states that cannot guarantee the safety of his
men.
This is a statement issued by the FFS’ Spokesperson, Mrs. Ugo Huan, in Abuja on Friday.
Ibrahim emphasised that he had continued to call for the protection of his men stressing that it was now time to take action.
This
is even as he has called for the umpteenth time for firemen to be
accompanied by security personnel following the recent wave of attacks
on firemen.
While condemning the most recent attack on firemen
in Kogi on Thursday night, he vowed that those behind the act will
surely be brought to book.
He expressed grief displeasure over
the attack, pointing out that this was the second time that firemen
would be attacked in Kogi while on duty.
He again called on
State governments to ensure the protection of their firemen, stressing
that the service would no longer take future attacks lying low.
“It is a criminal offence for anyone to attack firefighters or fire trucks for whatsoever reasons.
“Henceforth,
any state government that cannot ensure the protection of Federal Fire
Service firefighters and equipment in their states will leave the
Service with no other option but to withdraw it’s presence.
“We
will not fold our hands and watch our men being maimed and killed as
well as fire trucks worth millions of Naira being destroyed,” he said.
Giving
insights into the attack, the PRO in the statement said that the attack
occurred along Felele road when firefighters were attempting to turn
out a car fire at Al-Salam fuel station.
It explained that the
State command had received a fire call concerning a car fire, but while
approaching the scene, a mob began to attack the truck which was
conveying firefighters.
The statement added that parts of the
truck were destroyed while firefighters were injured and are now
currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
“The matter has
since been reported to the Police for investigation and subsequent
arrest of those responsible. The Chief Security Officer of the Kogi
Government house has also been informed.
The CG further
substantiated his call for the establishment of an armed squad in the
Federal Fire Service known as Fire Police to protect firefighters and
fire trucks at fire scenes.
