‘Looters’ of burnt Next Cash & Carry supermarket are staff: FEMA
Abbas Idriss, the Director-General of the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), says those seen carting away goods from Next Cash & Carry supermarket on Sunday were the mall’s staff and not looters.
Peoples Gazette had reported how looters thronged the supermarket to pillage it while the facility went up in flames Sunday morning.
But Mr Idriss denied the looting despite evidence.
“Immediately the agency got to the scene of the incident, security operatives cordoned the area and fire fighting began.
“There was no looting whatsoever as speculated by some people on social media.
“What we saw on social media was staff of Next Cash and Carry trying to salvage goods using trolleys. Nothing was taken out of the premises by looters,’’ Mr Idriss stated.
He commended all responders, security agencies and the media for their prompt response to the fire incident.
According to him, immediately FEMA received the distress call on the fire incident, it activated all responders, including the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service and FCT police Command.
“Others are the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the National Emergency Management Agency, the armed forces, Julius Berger, the NNPC, and other private corporate entities,’’ he stated.
Mr Idriss added that the rescue effort was well coordinated, leading to the containment of the fire.
He reaffirmed that no life was lost to the incident and neither was anyone injured.
Mr Idriss appealed to business owners to factor in risk elements in their business plans, noting that fire engines did not get free access within the shopping mall while the fire raged.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Heading 4
UK women, partners to get two weeks’ bereavement leave after miscarriage from next year
“From April, women and their partners will be entitled to two weeks off after any pregnancy loss,” Mr Burnham said.
Africa
Climate Change: 32 million West Africans may become refugees by 2050, says ECOWAS
ECOWAS says 32 million West Africans risk being displaced from their communities due to climate change.
States
Navy recovers 182,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy recovered 182,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Rivers.
Economy
Edible oil tanker drivers suspend planned strike
NUEOTDN President Ilias Aperun said the decision followed interventions by the federal government and the State Security Service (SSS).
States
Lagos APC governorship candidate Hamzat rallies voters for 2027
Mr Hamzat expressed concern about declining voter participation, noting that of the 6.2 million registered voters in Lagos in the last election, only about 1.2 million voted.
Economy
NMDPRA begins consultations on anti-competition regulations in petroleum sector
The proposed regulations are designed to address abuse of dominance and promote fair, non-discriminatory access to essential petroleum infrastructure.
