A 12-year-old boy from Benue State who was reported missing has been found safe in Gombe State and is currently under the protection of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The boy, identified as Reuben Mtagher, is an indigene of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

He was reportedly found in Amada, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.

According to information made available by the NSCDC, Reuben was found alive and in good health.

Reports indicate that he speaks only the Tiv language.

The agency also disclosed that the boy has three brothers identified as Suur, Mnguember, and Mmen, in a bid to assist in tracing his family.

Reuben is currently in the safe custody of the NSCDC Gombe State Command Headquarters pending his reunion with his family.

The NSCDC has appealed to Reuben’s parents, guardians, relatives, or anyone with useful information about his family to visit the Gombe State Command Headquarters for identification and collection of the child.

A power surge on Monday triggered a fire outbreak in a 14-room residential building in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

The fire outbreak occurred at about 2:03 p.m. at No. 40 Elesinla Compound, off Agbo-Oba Road, Ilorin West Local Government Area of the state.

According to the spokesman of the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, the power surge ignited combustible materials in the affected section of the residential building.

“The incident involved a storey building comprising about 14 rooms, out of which four rooms were affected by the fire.

“Upon arrival, firefighters swiftly commenced firefighting operations and successfully brought the fire under control at about 2:50 p.m., preventing it from spreading to the remaining rooms and adjoining properties.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire was caused by a power surge, which ignited combustible materials within the affected section of the building,” he added.

The Director of the State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, advised residents to ensure that their buildings are fitted with standard electrical installations and surge protection devices to guard against electrical fluctuations.

He further urged property owners to carry out periodic inspection and maintenance of electrical wiring, avoid overloading electrical sockets, and report fire incidents immediately to the fire service for prompt intervention.

Muhammed reiterated that the State Fire Service remains committed to safeguarding lives and property through rapid emergency response and sustained public fire safety awareness across the state.

A fire outbreak gutted the top floor of a three-storey residential building in the Ketu-Ikosi area of Lagos, leaving two firefighters exhausted after they collapsed while battling the blaze.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, disclosed this in a statement issued by the Lagos State Government, saying the fire broke out at No. 11, Ademola Taiwo Street, Ketu-Ikosi, and was brought under control through a joint operation with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.

According to the agency, the affected property is one of a pair of twin three-storey residential buildings.

LASEMA said its Tiger Squad arrived to find the top floor engulfed in flames and immediately launched coordinated firefighting operations to prevent the fire from spreading to the adjoining building and nearby properties.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was caused by an electrical surge from a prepaid meter located on the front balcony of the building before spreading to the top floor.

During the operation, two officers of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service collapsed while battling the blaze.

“During the firefighting operation, two officers of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service collapsed while combating the fire,” the statement said.

The agency said the officers were immediately evacuated to the Trauma Centre in a LASEMA ambulance and response vehicle. Both are receiving treatment and are in stable condition.

LASEMA added that no resident was killed or injured in the incident.

“Fortunately, no loss of life or civilian injuries were recorded in the incident,” the statement added.

The agency said dampening-down and recovery operations were ongoing to prevent a fresh outbreak and assess the extent of the damage.

It commended the professionalism and bravery of emergency responders, particularly the Tiger Squad and personnel of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, whose swift intervention prevented the fire from causing greater destruction.

LASEMA also urged residents to regularly inspect and maintain electrical installations, especially prepaid meters and wiring, to reduce the risk of fire outbreaks.

Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with emergency responders as operations at the scene continue. He also encouraged Lagosians to make use of the state’s toll-free emergency lines for a prompt response during emergencies.