A fire
truck damaged, senior official had his ear cut with a broken bottle, another
had a bottle smashed on his head, while three others were reportedly manhandled
on Idewu Street, Olodi-Apapa, Ajegunle and Odunsi Street, Itire-Surulere, Lagos
State.
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 as 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.
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.
“The
state has observed with dismay the frequent attacks on its officials and
obstruction of same from carrying out their official duties by hoodlums, said
the Mr Rasak.
“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, stabbing
and chasing them from the scenes of the fire incidents.
He
commended the Divisional Police Officer at Itire for quick intervention and coming
to the rescue of the officers during the assault.
He 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.
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