By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: The Controller General of the Federal Fire Service FFS, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, has disclosed that his personnel saved over 1,700 lives and protected properties worth more than ₦300 billion in the first quarter of 2026 alone.

This was he made a rare personal admission — that he was traumatized for two weeks after leading his team to retrieve charred bodies from the ADC Airlines Flight 53 crash of October 2006 that killed the 19th Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido Abubakar III, his son Senator Badamasi Maccido, and more than 90 others.

Adeyemi made the disclosures on Monday in Abuja at the Federal Fire Service’s commemoration of International Firefighters’ Day 2026, held under the theme: “Courage Under Fire: Recognising the Sacrifices and Realities of Firefighting.”

Speaking with unusual candour about the psychological toll of emergency response, the Controller General recounted his own breaking point. “I recall in one plane crash many years ago where I led my team. We were carrying dead bodies. For two weeks, I couldn’t sleep because each time I closed my eyes, I would be seeing blood and the charred remains of the victims of that crash. I was really traumatised,” he said.

He advocated for mandatory psychosocial support structures within the Service, insisting that the realities of firefighting “do not end at the fire scene — they follow our officers home. They live in memory, in injury, and sometimes in silence.”

“Behind every siren is a human being. Behind every emergency call is a family waiting. And behind every successful rescue is a story of risk, resilience, and responsibility that is rarely told,” Adeyemi said.

On operational performance, the Controller General said the first-quarter figures were not mere statistics. “These are not just numbers; they are lives preserved, livelihoods protected, and futures secured through the courage and commitment of our firefighters,” he declared.

Adeyemi also outlined a series of welfare and institutional reforms undertaken under his leadership.

He said over 2,600 officers had been promoted in what he described as one of the most extensive promotion exercises in the Service’s recent history, adding that senior officers were currently sitting promotion examinations with more rounds scheduled before year-end. “This is a clear statement that dedication will be recognised, and service will never be overlooked,” he said.

On capacity building, he noted the training and induction of over 700 cadet officers in Jos, alongside specialized programmes including the Haske Biu Training Programme in Jaji and a Counter-Ambush Intelligence and Movement Security Course at the Defence Intelligence College.

The Controller General further listed the introduction of interest-free loan initiatives, medical cover for injuries, and enhanced insurance schemes as part of expanded welfare offerings, adding that he had recently approved the payment of repatriation expenses for retiring officers. “In recognition of service beyond active duty, I recently approved the payment of repatriation expenses for recently retired officers, ensuring dignity and support even at the point of exit,” he said.

He also announced the inauguration of a Controller General’s Awards Committee to formalise recognition of gallantry and outstanding service within the ranks. “Recognition is not a privilege; it is a responsibility,” Adeyemi said.

In his closing remarks, Adeyemi called on the National Assembly to fast-track the repeal and re-enactment of the Federal Fire Service and Rescue Act and urged lawmakers to include the establishment of fire stations in their constituency projects. He also appealed to corporate organizations to incorporate the Fire Service into their corporate social responsibility initiatives.

He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, crediting both with providing institutional support for the Service’s reform agenda.

Adeyemi closed with a direct appeal to Nigerians to give way to fire trucks on duty and to avoid obstructing emergency personnel at incident scenes.

“Every second counts, and your cooperation can mean the difference between life and loss,” he said. “Firefighters are human beings — with families, emotions, and lives outside the uniform. A simple act of respect, patience, or appreciation goes a long way.”

The guest speaker at the event, Prof. Okey Okechukwu, Executive Director of Development Specs Academy, called on the government to increase the allowances of firefighters, arguing that the hazardous nature of the job frequently led to terminal illnesses in old age.

Earlier in his welcome address, an Assistant Controller General, BT Mohammed, described the day as one set aside “to celebrate firefighters around the world, the risks they take and the ultimate sacrifices they pay in their service to humanity.”