ETIM EFFIONG
Shop owners at Kairo Market, Oshodi have attacked the team from Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and destroyed their equipment.
They were said to have cut the agency’s hoses in the middle to save their individual shops which affected the overall performance of the team at the scene of the fire disaster.
The Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, said on Friday that it was regrettable that the firefighters were exposed to violence when they were trying to salvage the situation.
He said: “Our firefighters were exposed to violence at the above incident. “Members of the public sabotaged our efforts by cutting our hoses in the middle to save their individual shops which affected the overall efforts of our personnel and damage to our equipment.
“Some members of our team were attacked with several sustaining injuries that required medical attention.
“It is of note that in the course of attempting to discharge their duties, first responders are being attacked.
“The agency intends to engage with the market authorities for sensitization on fire prevention and modalities of cooperation in such incidents.”
Oke-Osanyintolu frowns on the assault and mistreatment of it’s personnel, adding that investigation into the incident will be conducted.