Fire razes fuel storage facility at air force base in Abuja

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says there was a fire incident at one of its bases in Abuja on Wednesday. 

Ayodele Famuyiwa, the NAF director of public relations and information, said the incident occurred at a fuel facility in the base along the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

He said the fuel tanks are owned and operated by Geometrics Synergy Services Limited. 

Famuyiwa said the fire was later put out by the combined effort of the Fire Services of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Federal Fire Service and the NAF fire service. 

“A fire incident involving a Jet A-1 fuel dump located on the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base, Bill Clinton Drive, Abuja was reported at about 0800 hours today, Wednesday 10 May 2023,” the statement reads. 

“Though located on NAF Premises, the fuel facility is owned and operated by Messer Geometrics Synergy Services Limited under a ‘Build, Operate and Transfer’ ownership agreement.

“The fire, which created an explosion from the fuel tanks, has since been put out by the combined efforts of Fire Services from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Federal Capital Territory Administration, the Federal Fire Service, and the NAF Fire Service. It is gratifying to note that no life was lost in the incident.”

The NAF spokesperson added that an investigation has commenced to ascertain the cause of the fire incident. 

“Furthermore, the NAF wishes to use this medium to appreciate the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, who were at the scene to offer necessary assistance as may be required,” he added.