A grand motorcade escorting the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Adeyemi, through his home state of Kogi has ignited widespread online debate over resource allocation in emergency services.
Video footage circulating on social media on Monday shows a convoy of FFS-red emergency vehicles, including Toyota pickups, SUVs, outrider motorcycles, support vans, and black SUVs, moving along highways and local roads.
The video also shows security men in dark suits and red ties guarding a red SUV as the convoy slows before arriving at a crowded event venue.
Another shot shows Adeyemi alighting from the SUV to a throng of cheering locals.
The event, described as a royal homecoming and thanksgiving, marks Adeyemi’s return to Kogi following his appointment as Controller-General in July 2025.
During the visit, he received blessings from traditional rulers and reportedly pledged to establish a new fire station in Kabba.
The fire service originally posted the video on its official channels on April 4, stating, “CGF Olumode Adeyemi returns home to Kogi, receives royal blessings, as stakeholders commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and call for stronger fire safety. Fire station in Kabba underway.”
The display has, however, drawn sharp criticism online.
Many Nigerians on social media pointed to the irony of the fire service chief’s elaborate escort in a country where fire departments across the 36 states allegedly operate limited functional vehicles.
“How can anyone realistically hope for Nigeria to improve with this kind of outrageous display from the head of a federal fire agency?
“This isn’t even an exaggeration, about 90% of federal fire stations reportedly lack functional fire engines, yet the agency’s leadership has the funds to acquire multiple SUVs. It’s beyond frustrating. It’s unacceptable,” #ogundamisi reacted on X on Monday.
Influencer Kalu Aja wrote, “Fire Service ooh. Recurrent budget go hear am. Everyone is a big man.”
One user, #bin_gbada, said the SUVs are extravagant, claiming that the vehicles are equivalent to three firefighting trucks.
“Those luxury SUVs will buy 3–4 firefighting trucks. Once again, we are not poor. We are being criminally mis-governed.
“Nigeria presently has fewer than 250 fire-fighting trucks for a population of over 200 million people. How do you explain that the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service has several brand-new luxury SUVs in his convoy, as long as that of a head of state? We cannot continue like this!”
Another user questioned the use of federal agency infrastructure for political activity.
“These people are using every institution of this country to campaign and promote their nonsense agenda. Nigeria has never been this bad.
“Imagine displaying such nonsense in a country where we don’t have enough fire service stations. These are misplaced priorities,” #Bashir_GS wrote.
Supporters of the event, however, framed it as a standard ceremonial welcome for a high-ranking official.
“Every high-ranking public servant deserves proper protocol and security when visiting their hometown. This is standard for a Controller-General. The cultural display and thanksgiving service were beautiful to see,” one user wrote on X.
Praying for the CG, #Obaluck84293 said, “Welcome Sir. Well done Job Sir. God Bless Olumode. God Bless Bunmi Tunji Ojo. God Bless President Bola Tinubu. God Bless Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
