By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh.
Kogi State Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Ohere has, on behalf of Governor Yahaya Bello, tendered an unreserved apology to the Controller General, Federal Fire Service over the attack on men and engine of the command around Felele area of the state while on an official duty to put off a fire incident.
The Commissioner for Works, in a message he sent through to the Controller General through the Kogi State Controller of the Fire Service, regretted the unfortunate incident, condemned the actions of the miscreants and disgruntled elements who attacked men of the State Command of the Fire Service who were legitimately carrying out their official duty in strong terms.
Engr. Ohere thanked the men of the Federal Fire Service for all the support they have always given to Kogi State, assured that everything humanly possible would be done to arrest and bring the papetrators of the attack to book.
“I most sincerely want to convey the assurances of His Excellency, Gov. Yahaya Bello that everything will be done to bring those involved to justice and as well manage the injured staff with full repair of the vehicle sir.
“Thank you for your continued love for the state as we pray that similar incidences will not repeat itself going forward,” the message read.
The Commissioner assured that more security would be provided for the command of the fire service, made a presentation of the sum of N100,000 through the Assistant Controller to be delivered to the sick promised to also visit the injured officer.
To buttress the seriousness of the state government’s assurances to the command, Engr. Abubakar Ohere deployed a high powered delegation led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry to immediately visit the Kogi State Command of the Federal Fire Service.
The delegation where received by the Assistant Controller, Omolola Tolushe at 2.57pm where the message of the State Government was delivered.
The delegation appreciated the interventions of the Command in the State and also frowned at the ugly incident on men and their equipment while in the course of their official duty.
The delegation disclosed that the Police have been mandated to fish out the culprits who attacked the officers and the vehicle.
Similarly, the state government delegation, led by the Permanent Secretary, visited the injured officials and made an assessment on the level of damage to the vehicle for necessary repairs.
The Assistant Controller in her response expressed her gladness on the prompt response by the Kogi State Government, further revealed to the team that the injured have been discharged from the hospital.
She, however, disclosed that the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service has ordered for the deployment of all the vehicles including the damaged one to the headquarters in Abuja before the arrival of the State Government delegation at about 1:00pm.
The state government has however directed the Director of the State Fire Service to interact with the Assistant Controller on modalities to return the vehicles with provision for more security to protect men and equipment of the State Command while discharging their duties.
