The House of Representatives has given the Comptroller-General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Mr. Jaji Abdulganiyu, a 24-hour deadline to appear before its investigative committee and provide a full account of the deadly truck accident that occurred in Abuja last Friday.
The accident, which took place at the ECOWAS Junction in Wuse 2, involved a fire truck responding to an emergency at the Avenue Plaza in Banex. Tragically, the accident resulted in the deaths of three siblings, while several others sustained various degrees of injury. The incident has sparked outrage, particularly after disturbing footage surfaced on social media, prompting public calls for justice and accountability.
Minority Whip, Hon. Ali Isah, who made the announcement, criticized the Federal Fire Service for not responding to an earlier invitation from the House to address the matter. He emphasized the need for transparency and swift action, urging the Fire Service to immediately visit the families of the deceased, cover medical expenses for the injured, and provide appropriate compensation for the victims.
Hon. Isah also called for preventative measures to be put in place to ensure that such tragic events do not occur again. In response, Deputy Controller-General of the FFS, Samuel Olumode, expressed the service’s condolences and regret over the tragic loss. He explained that the Comptroller-General was unable to attend the meeting due to prior official commitments, but had delegated the responsibility to senior officers.
Olumode further explained that the truck driver involved in the accident had not stopped at the scene due to concerns over potential mob violence, a common issue faced by firefighters in the capital city. The driver, he said, reported to the nearest police station and has since been in detention. The Fire Service also visited the families of the deceased and the injured, attended funeral services, and issued a public apology through major media channels.
Despite these efforts, the House of Representatives insists on direct accountability from the Comptroller-General and has demanded a thorough investigation into the incident. The 24-hour deadline for his appearance before the committee is a critical step in the ongoing effort to ensure justice for the victims and prevent future accidents.
