There was a brief fire scare at the National Assembly in Abuja on Wednesday after a fire broke out in the Senate wing of the parliamentary complex, prompting swift intervention by lawmakers and officials.
The incident occurred at Hearing Room 107 shortly after the Senate Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) concluded the screening of Dr. Zainab Marwa, the nominee representing the North-East geopolitical zone on the board of the interventionist commission.
Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong and Salihu Mustapha were among those who reportedly led efforts to contain the fire before it could spread further, averting what could have developed into a major incident.
Preliminary findings suggested that the fire may have originated from a microwave left switched on in the kitchen area adjoining the hearing room.
No casualties or injuries were recorded, while the prompt response ensured that the situation was quickly brought under control and normal legislative activities resumed shortly afterwards.
However, TVC News reports that in the aftermath of the incident, journalists covering proceedings at the National Assembly were reportedly instructed by the committee officials to delete photographs and video recordings captured during the fire outbreak incident.
