Ahead of the February 25, poll the federal fire service says its personnel will be on standby to respond to fire attacks and outbreaks during and after the general elections.

The Controller General noted that this was important to protect the electoral process from political hoodlums and other criminal elements who might want to use fire attacks to frustrate the process.

Jaji Abdulganiyu spoke during a brainstorming session aimed at providing fire cover for the general elections in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said, “As relevant stakeholders in the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ahead of the 2023 general election, the recent attacks on INEC Offices across the country place a burden on our shoulders as fire officers to ensure that this ugly situation is nipped in the bud.

“The Federal Fire service as we all know is committed to ensuring the fire safety of all citizens during and after the general election. To this end, the Service has set up a comprehensive fire safety plan that includes: Increased fire safety inspection, Fire prevention, and protection measures, and increased presence of fire personnel in areas prone to fire outbreaks.

“We are brainstorming to produce a fire cover road map that would better secure Nigerians, INEC infrastructures, and personnel across the country, before, during, and after the forthcoming general.

“we can create a safe and more secure environment to forestall future attacks on INEC infrastructures, and personnel and to safeguard the electoral process from political hoodlums and enemies of the state, who now use fire attacks as a tool to frustrate INEC in the discharge of her statutory mandate.

“I am confident that with the hard work and dedication of my officers and men of the Federal Fire Service, we will be able to ensure the safety of polling units, wards, local government, and state collation centres, as well as provide a secure environment for citizens to cast their votes,” he added.