By Joy Odor Reportcircle News
Abuja’s bustling Wuse Market came under the spotlight on Monday, February 10, 2026, as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Abuja Operations Office (AOO), in collaboration with key emergency management agencies, staged a high-impact fire safety awareness campaign aimed at shielding traders and market users from devastating fire disasters.
The event, which drew hundreds of traders, market leaders, and officials from agencies including the Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Red Cross Society, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the NEMA NYSC Vanguard, combined education, practical drills, and hands-on demonstrations to instill a culture of vigilance and preparedness.
Speaking to the participants, Head of Operations, NEMA AOO, Abubakar Zakari, sounded a clear warning: most market fires are preventable.
He stressed that knowledge, vigilance, and safe practices could save lives and livelihoods, echoing the vision of NEMA Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, who has championed proactive safety measures and community engagement as core pillars of disaster risk reduction.
Zakari urged traders to ensure proper electrical installations, handle flammable materials with care, safely store fuel and chemicals, and immediately report potential hazards.
He also called on market leadership to establish safety committees and maintain strong collaboration with emergency response agencies for early warning and rapid intervention.
The training went beyond lectures.
Practical fire control drills allowed traders to operate fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and sand buckets, building confidence to tackle minor incidents before they escalated. Experts guided participants through hands-on scenarios, demonstrating how fast, coordinated action could prevent catastrophic damage.
A robust question-and-answer session followed, clearing misconceptions and reinforcing key fire safety messages.
Traders asked practical questions about electrical risks, flammable storage, and emergency evacuation protocols, with specialists providing actionable, easy-to-implement solutions.
To ensure the message endured beyond the day’s campaign, NEMA distributed Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, including flyers and leaflets, while media representatives conducted interactive sessions to further highlight the importance of community-driven disaster risk reduction.
Light refreshments punctuated the programme, giving participants a chance to network and discuss fire safety measures in their respective market units.
The exercise, part of NEMA’s ongoing commitment to strengthening community resilience, represents a proactive push to reduce the frequency and impact of market fires across Nigeria.
Officials emphasized that prevention is far cheaper and less devastating than post-disaster recovery, a mantra that resonated with the traders as they vowed to adopt safer practices immediately.
As Abuja’s traders returned to their stalls, the message was loud and clear: “Be alert, be prepared, and prevent fires before they start.”
