Disaster: How 3,500 victims were rescued in 2024 – FEMD boss

Stories by Stanley Onyekwere

FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD) of the FCT Administration says in the outgoing year, 2024, no fewer than 3,500 lives were rescued from various emergencies across Abuja.
FEMD disclosed that the persons were rescued from trapped buildings, flood disasters, fire outbreaks, road crashes, among other disasters recorded within the period across the territory.
However, FEMD also revealed that 5 persons lost their lives in major disaster cases recorded in the year under review.
Making this disclosure to Newsmen yesterday, Acting Director General, FEMD, Engr. Abdulrahman Mohammed, explained that 75 lives were rescued from various flood disasters, while 105 persons were rescued from building collapse, while 1,230 persons were rescued from various fire disasters reported in parts of the city.
Mohammed added that 2000 residents were traumatized by the wildly reported earth tremor in Mpape, Katampe, and some parts of Maitama Extension.
“FEMD saved an estimated 3,500 lives from various emergencies through 165 calls on its 112 emergency toll-free number.
“A breakdown of the Search and Rescue activities in 2024 shows that 75 lives were rescued from various flood disasters.
“However, one life was lost to floods at Angwan Hakimi, Orozo, in Abuja Municipal Area Council.
“105 persons were rescued from building collapse and there were 4 fatalities.
“We had incidences at the Prince and Princess estate, Guzape District, Garki 2, Kubwa, and Sabon Lugbe along the Airport Road”, he said.
On cases of fire incidents, the DG stated that, “1,230 persons were rescued from various incidents, no life was lost. Some of the incidents occurred at Old Karu market, a fitness center at Gwarinpa, and residential fires.”
Furthermore, the FEMD boss also recounted an attempted suicide incident on a mast atop Katampe hill, where the suspect was rescued through the skillful intervention of FEMD officials and the police
Equally, he listed other emergencies to include earth tremor saying, “FEMD responded to the wildly reported earth tremor in Mpape, Katampe, and some parts of Maitama Extension, where over 2000 residents were traumatized
According to him: “Our report on the incident was submitted to the Honorable Minster of the FCT.
“89 persons were rescued, while there were 3 fatalities. We have also flagged off our ember month campaign in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps. Tagged, Operation Eagle Eye, the campaign took us to Motor Parks in the FCT to sensitize commercial drivers on driving to stay safe and alive.”
Commenting on the recent palliative stampede in the Maitama area of the FCT, the Acting DG disclosed that all hospitalised victims have been discharged.
He assured that in the coming year, FEMD will establish effective channels for sharing information and best practices, in addition to setting up secure data storage solutions.
“We intend to Increase focus on risk assessment for the city center to increase focus on risk assessment to mitigate potential disasters”, he stated.