A minor fire broke out in the Senate wing of the National Assembly complex in Abuja on Wednesday, creating a moment of alarm near a hearing room.
Footage shared on social media captured smoke billowing through the area, with some individuals in the videos heard suggesting, “The fire came from gas,” while others noted, “No fire extinguisher.” One clip showed Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) evacuating the premises.
According to a report by TVC, the incident occurred shortly after the Senate Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission had finished screening Dr. Zainab Marwa, the nominee representing the North-East on the commission’s board.
Eyewitnesses indicated that the fire originated in the hearing room’s kitchen area, allegedly caused by a microwave that had been left on.
Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong and Salihu Mustapha were reportedly among those who stepped in to manage the situation, working with others to manually extinguish the flames using water and detergents before the fire could expand.
No injuries were reported, and operations in the wing returned to normal shortly after the incident. At this time, authorities have yet to provide an official statement regarding the fire’s cause or any planned safety upgrades.
See video below:
