News
New Year: Fire claims one life, destroys properties worth over N500m nationwide
The Federal Fire Service (FFS) has expressed concern over the spate of fire outbreaks recorded across the country on New Year Day, which led to the destruction of properties valued at over N500 million and the death of an 11-year-old child.
According to the service, fire incidents were reported in Bayelsa, Abuja, Lagos, Imo, Gombe, and Kwara states.
The tragic incident in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, which claimed the life of the 11-year-old, was attributed to the use of candlelight inside a residential building. Properties worth more than N10 million were destroyed in the inferno.
The FFS disclosed that it entered 2026 on full operational alert, responding to multiple fire emergencies across the country within the first few hours of the New Year.
Speaking in a statement, the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Paul Abraham, said the swift response by firefighters nationwide reflected a December directive issued by the Controller-General, Olumode Adeyemi, which barred personnel from proceeding on leave during the festive period.
Abraham noted that the directive proved decisive in containing the first recorded fire incident of 2026 in the Federal Capital Territory.
He said:” Shortly after midnight, at 00:23hrs on January 1, firefighters were mobilised to a fire outbreak at Cake Hot Restaurant, within River Plate Park, Wuse, Abuja. Crews arrived promptly and, in joint efforts with the FCT Fire Service, successfully contained the blaze, preventing what could have escalated into a major disaster in the busy recreational area.
“While a section of the garden was affected, no lives were lost and no injuries were recorded. Property valued at approximately ₦1.5 billion was saved, with losses estimated at ₦500 million.
“Preliminary findings linked the incident to objects thrown during New Year celebrations, reinforcing long-standing warnings against the use of fireworks.
“The Abuja incident echoes earlier cautions issued by CGF Adeyemi, who urged Nigerians to avoid fireworks, candles, and all forms of open flames indoors, particularly during the harmattan season when dry conditions allow fires to spread rapidly.
“Beyond Abuja, firefighters were simultaneously responding to incidents in Lagos, Imo, Gombe, Kwara, and other locations nationwide, underscoring the importance of maintaining full manpower and readiness during peak-risk periods.
“However, the New Year also brought a tragic reminder of the consequences of preventable fires. In Yenagoa, firefighters responded to a residential fire involving a wooden structure. Although property worth about ₦10 million was saved, losses were estimated at ₦20 million.
“Sadly, the incident claimed the life of an 11-year-old child, with preliminary findings indicating the fire was caused by a candle left unattended.”
“Describing the Yenagoa incident as deeply painful and avoidable, the Federal Fire Service stressed that many fire outbreaks result from everyday actions that can be prevented through simple caution.
“Controller General Adeyemi expressed sympathy to the owner of the affected restaurant in Abuja and heartfelt condolences to the family of the child lost in Yenagoa.”
The FFS boss urged Nigerians to treat harmattan-season fire safety warnings with the utmost seriousness and stick to other safety rules issued earlier.
This is Chukuku, along Kuje – Gwagwalada road, Kuje Area Council of the FCT.
Wike don reach here.
Watch:
The husband of a woman accused of killing their two-year-old son stood by her in court on Thursday as she pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge.
Corie Walsh, 40, appeared briefly before a judge on September 24 during a preliminary hearing in the case involving the death of her son, Barrett Walsh.
Walsh appeared in a bright red jail uniform with her hair tied back during the roughly three-minute hearing. She stood beside her attorney, who told the court that the defence had subpoenaed her treatment records from the jail.
The records, attorney Andrea Lyon later said, were requested to determine whether Walsh was receiving the mental-health treatment she needs.
The defence is also seeking to have Walsh released before trial to a hospital for treatment, despite a judge rejecting an earlier request this month.
Walsh’s husband, Michael Walsh, sat in the public gallery during Thursday’s hearing alongside an elderly couple who appeared visibly emotional.
As Walsh was led from the courtroom after the hearing, she made eye contact with her husband.
Outside the courthouse, friends comforted Michael, with one supporter telling him, “She will get through this, she’s strong.”
Michael was later heard telling another supporter that he had been “packing up” the family home.
Speaking to reporters outside court, Lyon said Walsh’s family remained firmly behind her.
“Her whole family is here today — her husband, mother, mother’s best friend,” the attorney said.
“They love her and this is not — she’s never been violent… she was psychotic. They all know that and want her to get better. This is not who she is,” Lyon added.
According to court documents, Walsh’s two older children discovered Barrett with a rope around his neck and his feet off the ground in the basement of the family’s home in Frankfort, a suburb about 30 miles southwest of Chicago.
The children reportedly ran to a neighbour’s house for help.
The neighbour called 911 and attempted CPR on the toddler, but he had no pulse and was cold to the touch. Barrett was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy determined that the child, affectionately known as “Bear,” died from “asphyxia due to ligature compression of the neck,” according to court records.
Police later found Walsh fully clothed in a bathtub containing bloodied water. Investigators allege that she had attempted to kill herself by cutting her wrists and thighs with a dull kitchen knife.
Court documents further allege that Walsh confessed to killing her son and described him as the “anti-Christ” and “devil.”
The case has drawn particular attention because prosecutors allege Walsh had become intensely focused on the high-profile case of Lindsay Clancy, a Massachusetts mother accused of killing her three children.
Clancy’s defence argued that she suffered from postpartum psychosis and was legally insane when she fatally strangled her children with exercise bands. Her trial ended in a hung jury and mistrial.
According to Walsh’s defence team, she had discussed the Clancy case with neighbourhood friends shortly before Barrett was found.
During an earlier hearing, defence attorney Robert Kerr said Walsh had sent several “confusing” and “out of character” messages about the Clancy case.
Kerr told the court that Walsh had initially expressed one view about Clancy’s case before suddenly changing her position.
A witness reportedly described Walsh as abruptly saying that Clancy was “100% not guilty”, prompting friends to question whether she was okay and whether someone should check on her.
Walsh’s lawyers have argued that she was “severely mentally ill” and experiencing a psychotic episode when Barrett died.
The defence has also rejected suggestions that Walsh deliberately copied Clancy.
“Describing Corie to have copied Lindsay is to take an easy bait,” Kerr said during a previous hearing, according to a transcript.
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has raised concerns about his personal safety ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying he is not certain he will be alive when Nigerians go to the polls.
Obi made the remarks during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, where he discussed the political environment ahead of the election and called for a peaceful and democratic process.
The former Anambra State governor said he had been subjected to petitions and investigations in different places, adding that he remained uncertain about what could happen to him before the election.
“As I speak to you, I have also petitioned, I’ve been investigated everywhere. I still hear that I’m not even sure whether I’ll still be alive at the end of this,” Obi said.
He said he was relying on God for protection, while expressing uncertainty over the circumstances surrounding him.
“I’m praying to God for His protection because at this stage, I’m not sure what is happening,” he added.
Obi also appealed to political actors, particularly state governors, to create an environment where presidential candidates and other contestants can campaign freely ahead of the 2027 polls.
According to him, governors have the right to support candidates of their choice, but should not prevent candidates from opposing parties from carrying out their campaigns.
“Some of them will be campaigning for presidency tomorrow. They will be campaigning for other offices tomorrow. Let’s have peace,” he said.
The NDC candidate recalled his tenure as governor of Anambra State, saying he allowed politicians from other parties to campaign in the state, including those supporting candidates who were opposed to him.
Obi’s comments come amid increasing political activity and debate over the conduct and security of the 2027 elections. He has repeatedly called for a peaceful, credible and issue-based electoral process, while urging political actors to avoid actions that could undermine democratic participation.
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