Benue tanker fire incident: Governor Ortom’s indifference to safety of firemen, responsible for death of two firemen

By: Xavier Arnold Obande

First of all, I sincerely condole with the families of those who lost their lives in the fuel tanker fire incident in Ahumbe village, Gwer East LGA of Benue State on 1st June, 2019.

I salute gallant firemen/women across Benue State who put their lives on the line, working under the most harsh of conditions to discharge their duties. The undue hazards these men/women subject themselves to whenever there is a fire incident in the state is occasioned by the state government’s indifference to their safety, especially those who lost their lives (Kambu Terwase and one other who died in the hospital on Sunday, 7th, July ,2019. ) in the line of duty, trying extinguish the Ahumbe tanker fire/save others people’s lives.

Though the deaths of these selfless men could have been prevented only if the state Govwrnor, Samuel Ortom had granted the request of the Benue State Fire Service (BSFS) and provided safety equipments which they had requested for a long time ago!

The Benue State Fire Service had requested for fire fighter’s kit which included safety boots, fire resistant outer suits, inner linings, inner and outer gloves, socks, boots, helmets, breathing apparatus, communications system, et al, from the state government several years ago but their request fell on deaf ears, forcing them to go about their fire fighting duties without these necessary fire safety equipment.

The two firemen who died in Ahumbe village were killed by the same fire they were trying to extinguish simply because they had no fire fight’s kits on to protect them from the same fire they were putting out!

May the souls of everyone who lost their lives in that ugly incident rest in peace, and I wish I wish all the victim receiving medical treatments in various hospitals across Benue a speedy recovery.

Amen.