Next Cash and Carry: No looting at fire incident in Abuja Supermarket – FEMA

Contrary to social media reports, there was no looting at Next Cash and Carry Supermarket located in the Jahi area, Abuja, which was engulfed by fire on Sunday.

Alhaji Abbas Idriss, the Director-General of FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), stated this in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.

Idriss 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 speculated by some people on social media.

“What we saw on social media was a staff of Next Cash and Carry trying to salvage goods using trolleys. Nothing was taken out of the premises by looters.’’

Idriss commended all responders, security agencies and the media for their prompt response to the fire incident.

He said immediately, FEMA received the distress call on the fire incident, it activated all responders, including the FCT police Command and the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service.

He said, “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.’’

Idriss further stated that the rescue effort was well coordinated, leading to the containment of the fire.

He reaffirmed that no life was lost during the fire incident, neither was anyone injured.