The Federal Fire Service (FFS) has stayed silent on an investigation it promised to open after the deaths of Attahir Yusuf, Tahir Yunus Yusuf and Muhammad Attahir Yusuf, three brothers who were killed in Abuja by one of its trucks in May.
In July, FIJ noticed that the agency deleted its post apologising to the family of the deceased and promising an investigation into their deaths.
A few days after the incident, a Fire Service spokesperson asked FIJ what the young boys were doing out at such ‘odd hours’.
Weeks after the incident, the driver of the truck, who was not named, was handed over to the police, and a staff member at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) rescue centre involved in the operation was also suspended.
However, seven months down the line, the agency has not provided public updates on the incident or the prosecution of the driver.
FIRE SERVICE TRUCK KILLED THREE BROTHERS IN ONE NIGHT
On the night of May 9, Attahir, Yunus, Muhammed and another unnamed young man were in a Toyota Camry (GWA 626 BS) when they were crushed by a fire service truck, which was on its way to rescue victims trapped in a burning building.
The vehicle was on its way to Avenue Plaza, Banex, within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The brothers, who were all teenagers, were hit around Annur Mosque Junction in Wuse 2, Abuja, and were left without medical care for up to three hours.
According to an Instagram post made by Maina, the victims’ cousin, in May, bystanders struggled to get the brothers out of the crushed vehicle.
“For three hours, they were helpless. The fire truck, which could have helped them, left them. Hospitals were contacted, but no ambulance came for three hours,” Maina said.
“Please pray for them, and pray that they get justice, as Nigeria has unfortunately failed us again.”
FIRE SERVICE AND POLICE’S RESPONSES
On Sunday morning, FIJ called the phone number found on the agency’s website for the identity of the driver and other updates on the case, but the receiver who answered the call stated that the number was only for emergencies, and not for media inquiries.
When our reporter requested the contact details of Paul Abraham, the agency’s National Public Relations Officer (NPRO) and Head of Corporate Services, the female voice on the other end of the call said they could not be shared.
“This number is only for fire emergencies,” the voice said. “I also can’t share the spokesperson’s contact; they won’t allow me.”
FIJ also called Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson of the Abuja Police Command, but she did not take her calls. A text message sent to her has received a response at press time.
