By Adekunle Williams
Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State has appealed for the reopening of the Ejigbo Fire Station following ongoing peace talks among the parties involved in a recent clash.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, Mr Taoheed Taiwo, made the appeal at a media briefing with newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday.
NAN recalls that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service closed the Ejigbo Fire Station indefinitely on Saturday over assault on its personnel.
The service described the attacks as a serious threat to public safety and effective emergency service delivery in the council area and its surrounding communities.
Reacting to the incident, Taiwo described it as unfortunate and avoidable, saying the council had commenced engagements with relevant state authorities and security agencies.
He said community stakeholders were also being consulted to resolve the disagreement and restore a cordial relationship between residents and fire service personnel.
“On concerns surrounding the closure of the Ejigbo Fire Station and the withdrawal of firefighting equipment, I acknowledge the importance of maintaining an operational emergency response facility.
“The station’s proximity to residential areas is important for prompt intervention during fire outbreaks and other emergencies within the community,” he said.
Taiwo said the council was engaging relevant authorities, including the leadership of the service through the Office of the Commissioner for Special Duties.
He added that the Commissioner of Police was also being contacted to ensure that the situation remained under control and did not escalate further.
“I believe that sustained dialogue among the council, residents, security agencies and fire service officials will help resolve the dispute and prevent a recurrence.
“We are appealing to the service to reopen the station so it can continue to render services in the event of any fire outbreak in the area,” he said.
The chairman assured the fire service that adequate security measures had been strengthened to prevent further escalation and protect personnel posted to the facility.
He also appealed to state and federal government agencies operating within the council area to be more accommodating and understanding of residents.
However, Taiwo did not announce a specific date for the reopening of the station or the return of its firefighting equipment to the community.
Taiwo also recalled that the incident began on Tuesday, Oct. 13, when residents returning from an engagement outside the council area arrived at the secretariat.
He said the residents were at the secretariat for an accreditation exercise when the disagreement with fire service personnel reportedly started.
According to him, some residents had been conveyed to the stadium in Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses before proceeding to the council secretariat.
He said he was away in Abuja for the inauguration of the PCC when the incident occurred at the council secretariat.
Taiwo said the situation escalated when rainfall forced some residents to seek shelter in the corridor of the Lagos State Fire Service facility.
“A junior officer of the service instructed the residents to leave the premises and return to the rain, resulting in a disagreement that later degenerated into physical violence,” he said.
He said the confrontation reportedly left some residents injured, with complaints of torn clothes, missing mobile phones and medical expenses.
Three elderly women were also said to have suffered dislocated arms during the incident, according to the chairman.
Taiwo commended council officials and the Ejigbo Police Division for their intervention, which he said prevented further escalation of the confrontation.
He noted that the police, led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Abiodun Omisore, arrested individuals present at the scene for questioning.
He said the police had also commenced an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and identify those responsible.
Taiwo said he was later informed of the incident by the head of the fire service station, who contacted him over the reported injuries and losses.
He said that upon returning from Abuja, he consulted relevant stakeholders and gathered information before determining the appropriate steps to address the matter.
Taiwo stressed that the council secretariat must remain accessible to residents, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to an open-door policy.
The chairman said his administration remained committed to people-centred governance.
Taiwo added that he would continue to prioritise the welfare and security of residents.
The chairman said security personnel and community-based safety structures had been mobilised to monitor developments and respond to emerging concerns.
“These include local community vigilantes, the Community Policing Network and the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps.
“Others are the police. Residents are urged to report suspicious activities promptly to the appropriate authorities while remaining peaceful and law-abiding,” he said.
He expressed confidence that cooperation among all parties would restore cordial relations and ensure essential emergency services remain accessible to the community.(NAN)
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
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