Fire outbreak: Canadian high commission suspends Nigeria operations

Canada’s high commission has suspended operations in Nigeria following the fire outbreak in a section of the building that killed two persons on Monday.

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) confirmed that a diesel tank explosion caused the fire.

According to the agency, the diesel tank exploded around 10:45 a.m. in the commission’s generator house when two MIKANO generators were being serviced by a five-man team from JMD company.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Canadian high commission said it was suspending its operations until further notice.

The high commission empathised with the families of the deceased, saying an investigation will be carried out, but noted that “everything points to an accident” at this point.

“An explosion took place in a generator room at the High Commission of Canada to Nigeria in Abuja today, killing two people, including a locally engaged employee, and injuring two others,” the statement reads.

“Global Affairs Canada extends its sympathies to the families of those killed and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.

“We can confirm all other staff at the High Commission are safe and unharmed.

“We are now ensuring that the site is safe and will work with local authorities in determining the cause of the explosion.

“An investigation will be carried out, but at this point everything points to an accident rather than a deliberate act.

“As a result of the incident, the High Commission of Canada in Abuja is closed until further notice.

“Canadians in need of consular assistance can contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre.”

Canada also issued a travel advisory to its citizens on the government’s website over the “unpredictable security situation throughout the country”, including Abuja, “and the significant risk of terrorism, crime, inter-communal clashes, armed attacks and kidnappings”.

Lagos and Calabar were flagged as states to “exercise a high degree of caution” over incidents of crime.