Controller General of Federal Fire Service Wants  Armed Squad To Protect Personnel

By Frank Oshanugor

Sequel to the attack on the personnel of Federal Fire Service by hoodlums  in Kogi State On Wednesday, the Controller General of the Service, Dr. Liman Ibrahim has reiterated his earlier call for the formation of armed quad to act as police arm of the Service.

Ibrahim said the attack on firefighters and fire trucks by hoodlums is unacceptable and those responsible will definitely not go unpunished.

The attack  took place on Wednesday along Felele Road when firefighters were trying to extinguish fire from a burning  car at Al-Salam fuel station opposite Kogi State Polytechnic.

The State command of the Federal Fire Service had received a fire call concerning a car already in inflames.

It was gathered that while approaching the scene, mob armed with dangerous weapons began to attack the truck which was conveying firefighters, thereby destroying parts of the truck and injuring  firefighters who are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

This is the second time in Kogi State firefighters would  be attacked.

The matter has since been reported to the Police for investigation and subsequent arrest of those responsible.

The Chief Security Officer of the Kogi State Government house has also been informed.

Dr. Liman who has vowed that those behind the dastardly act will surely  be punished,  reiterated that it is a criminal offence for anyone to attack firefighters or fire truck for whatsoever reasons.

He further said that his directive of blacklisting any community who continuously attacks firefighters still stands and that henceforth any state government that can not ensure the protection of Federal  Fire Service firefighters and equipments in their states will leave the Service with no other option but to withdraw its presence from the State,as he will not fold his hands and watch his men been maimed and killed as well as fire trucks worth millions of Naira been destroyed.

The Controller General who saw the latest attack which is one amongst many; has further substantiated his call for the establishment of an armed  squad in the Federal Fire Service known as Fire Police who will be saddled with the responsibility of protecting firefighters and fire trucks at fire scenes, because this hoodlums are emboldened to attack firefighters as they know that they don’t have the protection of armed men.

The CG has called on the Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Yahya Bello to address this barbaric act by citizens of the state so as to avoid it’s reoccurrence.