No fewer than five firefighters with the 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.

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.

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.

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.

He said the five injured officers were 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.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

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.