By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Federal Secretariat in Awka, Anambra State capital worth over N200B was on Tuesday saved from being razed down following a fire outbreak that erupted from the Pharmaceutical Office and adjoining store occupied by a pharmaceutical company within the Secretariat.

The prompt response of a combined team of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence (NSCDC) and State Fire Service averted the damage the fire would have left on its trail on the first of the building

Confirming the incident, Head, Media and Tactical Ops, NSCDC State Command, SC Okadigbo Edwin, said no casualties were recorded in the inferno.

He attributed the possible cause of the incident to power surge, adding that normalcy has since returned at the facility.

He said: “The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra State Command, in fulfillment of its core mandate of protecting Critical National, State and Local Government Assets and Infrastructure, has successfully on collaboration with Anambra State Fire Service contained a fire outbreak at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Awka.

“The Command was alerted to the fire outbreak at about 15:00 hours on Tuesday, 18th August, 2026, at the Pharmaceutical Office and adjoining store occupied by staff of Corixus of Nigeria, a pharmaceutical company within the Secretariat.

“Upon receipt of the distress call, the NSCDC Disaster Management Team responded promptly to the scene and in collaboration with the Anambra State Fire Service, the inferno was swiftly brought under control and prevented from spreading to other offices within the complex.

“Due to this timely intervention, property estimated at over N200 billion was saved from destruction.

“While the actual cause of the fire is still under investigation, preliminary findings suggest a power surge as the likely cause.

"Normalcy has since been restored at the Federal Secretariat and investigations are ongoing.”

Meanwhile, the State Commandant, Maku Olatunde, has commended the gallantry of the Disaster Management Team.

He urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies to conduct regular electrical audits and adhere strictly to safety protocols.

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