The National Emergency Management Agency, Abuja Operations Office, on Monday led a fire safety sensitisation exercise at the Wuse Market, Abuja, to educate traders on fire prevention and emergency response.
The exercise, carried out in collaboration with other emergency agencies, was aimed at reducing the frequent cases of market fires, which officials said were largely preventable.
Speaking at the event, the Head of Operations of NEMA AOO, Abubakar Zakari, said most fire outbreaks in markets occur due to poor safety practices, adding that the campaign was in line with the directive of the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, on proactive disaster risk reduction.
Zakari urged traders to ensure proper electrical wiring, handle flammable materials with care and report potential hazards promptly, while also encouraging market leaders to work closely with emergency agencies.
Agencies that participated in the exercise included the Federal Fire Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the Federal Road Safety Corps and the NEMA NYSC Vanguard.
The traders were also given practical training on the use of fire extinguishers and other basic firefighting tools, as well as guidance on evacuation procedures during emergencies.
Information materials on fire safety were distributed to participants as part of efforts to sustain awareness and strengthen community preparedness against market fire disasters.
