The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has expressed strong disapproval over the growing trend of using ambulances to transport corpses in Abuja, labeling the practice as both “unethical and unacceptable.”
Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, spoke to journalists on Friday, the 24th of October, 2025, following the fifth meeting of the FCT Executive Committee, chaired by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Fasawe disclosed that the administration has sanctioned the acquisition of 12 brand-new, fully equipped ambulances. Plans are also underway to purchase special hearses solely for transporting dead bodies, aiming to prevent the misuse of emergency medical vehicles.
“In the FCT, we have zero tolerance for an ambulance to carry a corpse. It is not ethical because a living person will lie on that stretcher without decontamination. So, we are also looking into buying hearses in the next budget, specifically to carry dead bodies,” she stated.
The Secretary noted that the newly procured ambulances 12 Toyota Hiace Hiroof units (2023/2024 models) are “specially fitted to international standards” and will soon be deployed throughout the territory.
“For the first time in about nine years, FCT will get 12 brand-new special ambulances. These are state-of-the-art vehicles, each equipped with a Bluetooth system, airbags, keyless entry and advanced medical fittings. They have been delivered and will be commissioned soon,” Fasawe said.
READ ALSO: Healthcare: Kogi takes delivery of over 20 additional Basic Life-Support Ambulances
She highlighted that the new fleet will greatly improve the FCT’s emergency response capabilities, especially with road upgrades that now allow faster access to outlying areas.
“A journey that used to take 20 minutes now takes five. With these ambulances, it may take just three minutes to reach a patient in need. This is another example of how the FCT system is working under the current administration,” she added.
Fasawe also reminded residents that the national emergency number, 112, is active and can be used to request medical assistance within Abuja.
“We are in direct communication with the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. The 112 number works right now.
“Once we complete our ambulance command base, calls to 112 will be patched directly to the nearest available ambulance, whether from FEMA, NEMSAS, or the FCT Health Services,” she explained.