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The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has closed the Ejigbo Fire Station indefinitely over repeated assaults on its personnel.
The service described the attacks as a serious threat to public safety and effective emergency service delivery.
In a statement on Friday, Senior Public Affairs Officer of the service, Maria Fadairo, said personnel on duty at the station were attacked on Tuesday, October 13, within the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
She said the incident was reported at the Ejigbo Police Station.
However, the individuals allegedly involved returned to the station on Friday and assaulted the personnel again, disrupting official operations despite intervention by senior police authorities.
The Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Abimbola Adeseye, condemned the assaults, saying the safety of personnel and protection of public institutions are essential to effective emergency service delivery.
She stressed that firefighters must be able to discharge their statutory responsibilities without fear of violence, intimidation or unlawful interference, warning that attacks on emergency responders could compromise operational readiness, delay interventions and expose residents to avoidable risks.
Following the incidents, the service announced the indefinite closure of the Ejigbo Fire Station pending a satisfactory resolution of the matter.
“Personnel and firefighting apparatus attached to the station will be temporarily redeployed to an undisclosed location for security reasons. This precautionary measure is intended to safeguard personnel and equipment while ensuring continuity of emergency response operations within the affected area,” Adeseye said.
She called on relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough, impartial and professional investigation, establish the facts and take appropriate action in accordance with the law against any persons found responsible.
The Service reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across Lagos State and urged members of the public to respect emergency personnel and allow them to perform their lawful duties without obstruction or intimidation.
