No fewer than five firefighters with the
Lagos State Fire Service were injured in the Ajegunle and Surulere
areas of Lagos State.
Lagos State Fire Service were injured in the Ajegunle and Surulere
areas of Lagos State.
While an unnamed senior official had his
ear cut with a broken bottle, another had a bottle smashed on his head,
while three others were reportedly manhandled.
ear cut with a broken bottle, another had a bottle smashed on his head,
while three others were reportedly manhandled.
A fire truck was said to have also been damaged in the melee.
It was learnt that some hoodlums, who
wanted to loot property in some buildings gutted by fire in the areas,
resorted to attacking the firefighters to eliminate oppositions on their
way.
wanted to loot property in some buildings gutted by fire in the areas,
resorted to attacking the firefighters to eliminate oppositions on their
way.
A statement on Thursday by the Lagos
State Fire Service said the officials ran for dear life to forestall a
confrontation that could lead to total breakdown of law and order.
State Fire Service said the officials ran for dear life to forestall a
confrontation that could lead to total breakdown of law and order.
The Director of the Lagos State Fire
Service, Rasak Fadipe, said such was the lot of firefighters in the
state while striving to save lives and property.
Service, Rasak Fadipe, said such was the lot of firefighters in the
state while striving to save lives and property.
He said the five injured officers were
responding to emergencies when they were attacked, adding that such
would no longer be allowed.
responding to emergencies when they were attacked, adding that such
would no longer be allowed.
He said, “The state has observed with
dismay the frequent attacks on its officials and obstruction of same
from carrying out their official duties by hoodlums.
dismay the frequent attacks on its officials and obstruction of same
from carrying out their official duties by hoodlums.
“Over five officers were seriously
injured on Idewu Street, Olodi-Apapa, Ajegunle and Odunsi Street,
Itire-Surulere. The officers were dedicated and hardworking, and their
motive was to save lives and property.
injured on Idewu Street, Olodi-Apapa, Ajegunle and Odunsi Street,
Itire-Surulere. The officers were dedicated and hardworking, and their
motive was to save lives and property.
“The gallant officers responded to
distress calls and were about to carry out their statutory duties when
the hoodlums, who wanted to avail themselves of the opportunity to loot
and steal from fire victims, saw them as obstacle and started attacking,
stabbing and chasing them from the scenes of the fire incidents.
distress calls and were about to carry out their statutory duties when
the hoodlums, who wanted to avail themselves of the opportunity to loot
and steal from fire victims, saw them as obstacle and started attacking,
stabbing and chasing them from the scenes of the fire incidents.
“A senior officer’s ear was stabbed with
a broken bottle. A bottle was smashed on another’s head, while others
were manhandled. In order to prevent a confrontation and breakdown of
law and order, the officials retreated and ran for their lives.”
a broken bottle. A bottle was smashed on another’s head, while others
were manhandled. In order to prevent a confrontation and breakdown of
law and order, the officials retreated and ran for their lives.”
He commended the Divisional Police Officer at Itire for intervening and rescuing the officers from further assault.
Fadipe appealed to members of the public
to desist from attacking firefighters and damaging government
facilities, saying culprits should be ready to face the full wrath of
the law.
to desist from attacking firefighters and damaging government
facilities, saying culprits should be ready to face the full wrath of
the law.