Fire outbreaks gut Abuja businesses as blazes destroy ₦650m worth of property in just 32 hours

A wave of fire outbreaks across Nigeria’s capital has left business owners counting heavy losses after property worth more than ₦650 million was destroyed within just 32 hours, the Federal Fire Service (FFS) has confirmed.

The fires, which broke out at three major locations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in January 2026, were largely triggered by suspected electrical surges and overloading, according to preliminary investigations.

The most recent incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, 19 January, at Corner Shops along Chalyx Close, Abacha Road, Maraba, on the Abuja–Keffi axis. Six retail shops were affected.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the National Public Relations Officer of the Federal Fire Service, Deputy Controller of Fire P. O. Abraham, said the emergency was reported at 2:51am by ASP Abdulmalik to the FFS National Headquarters in Garki.

Fire crews were immediately mobilised by the Station Commander, SF Agbo, with additional support from the Nyanya Fire Station. Despite the late alert, firefighters successfully contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading further.

The FFS estimated that ₦400 million worth of property was exposed to the fire, but prompt intervention saved assets valued at about ₦100 million.

The Maraba incident followed closely on the heels of two other major fires — the Kugbo Furniture Market fire and an earlier blaze at Leventis Plaza — all occurring within a tight time frame.

According to the Fire Service, the three outbreaks happened 18 hours apart, underscoring what officials described as a worrying pattern linked to electrical faults.

Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, said early findings indicate that all three fires were caused by electrical surges, stressing that the losses were largely preventable.

“Within just 32 hours, preventable incidents led to losses of about ₦650 million,” Adeyemi said, warning that “something as simple as switching off appliances could have saved many businesses.”

Despite the scale of destruction, the FFS noted that swift action by its personnel and partner agencies helped preserve property worth over ₦2.8 billion across the three emergencies.

The Service renewed its call for residents and business operators in Abuja to adopt stricter fire safety practices, especially avoiding electrical overloading and switching off appliances when not in use.

The Federal Fire Service reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, urging the public to report emergencies promptly through its hotline 0803 200 3557, noting that “timely calls lead to timely intervention and reduced losses.”