FEMA Debunks Looting Spree At Razed NEXT Supermarket
BY EDMOND ODOK – The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says contrary to social media reports, there was no looting at NEXT Supermarket, Abuja, which was gutted by fire on Sunday.
Director-General of FEMA, Alhaji Abbas Idriss, who made the clarification in Abuja, said; “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 being speculated by some people on the social media.”
In a statement issued on Sunday, Alhaji Idriss said; “What we saw on social media was the staff of Next Cash and Carry trying to salvage goods using trolleys. Nothing was taken out of the premises by looters,’’ Idriss stated.
The FEMA boss, while praising all responders, security agencies, and the media for their prompt response to the fire incident, said; “immediately the Agency got 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.”
Expressing happiness that the rescue effort was well coordinated, leading to the containment of the fire, Alhaji Idriss confirmed that no life was lost nor was anyone injured in the fire incident.
The FEMA Director-General urged all business owners in the nation’s capital to factor in risk elements in their business plans, lamenting that fire engines could not have easy and free access within the shopping mall while the fire was raging.
