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 many events concerned in a current conflict.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reviews that the Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, Mr Taoheed Taiwo, made the enchantment at a media briefing with newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday.
NAN remembers 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 assaults as a severe menace to public security and efficient emergency service supply within the council space and its surrounding communities.
Reacting to the incident, Taiwo described it as unlucky and avoidable, saying the council had commenced engagements with related state authorities and safety businesses.
He mentioned neighborhood stakeholders have been additionally being consulted to resolve the disagreement and restore a cordial relationship between residents and fireplace 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 mentioned.
Taiwo mentioned the council was partaking related authorities, together with the management of the service by means of the Office of the Commissioner for Special Duties.
He added that the Commissioner of Police was additionally being contacted to make sure that the state of affairs remained beneath management and didn’t escalate additional.
“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 mentioned.
The chairman assured the fireplace service that ample safety measures had been strengthened to stop additional escalation and shield personnel posted to the ability.
He additionally appealed to state and federal authorities businesses working throughout the council space to be extra accommodating and understanding of residents.
However, Taiwo didn’t announce a particular date for the reopening of the station or the return of its firefighting tools to the neighborhood.
Taiwo additionally recalled that the incident started on Tuesday, Oct. 13, when residents getting back from an engagement exterior the council space arrived on the secretariat.
He mentioned the residents have been on the secretariat for an accreditation train when the disagreement with fireplace service personnel reportedly began.
According to him, some residents had been conveyed to the stadium in Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses earlier than continuing to the council secretariat.
He mentioned he was away in Abuja for the inauguration of the PCC when the incident occurred on the council secretariat.
Taiwo mentioned the state of affairs escalated when rainfall compelled some residents to hunt shelter within the hall 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 mentioned.
He mentioned the confrontation reportedly left some residents injured, with complaints of torn garments, lacking cellphones and medical bills.
Three aged girls have been additionally mentioned to have suffered dislocated arms throughout the incident, in response to the chairman.
Taiwo counseled council officers and the Ejigbo Police Division for his or her intervention, which he mentioned prevented additional escalation of the confrontation.
He famous that the police, led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Abiodun Omisore, arrested people current on the scene for questioning.
He mentioned the police had additionally commenced an investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and establish these accountable.
Taiwo mentioned he was later knowledgeable of the incident by the pinnacle of the fireplace service station, who contacted him over the reported accidents and losses.
He mentioned that upon getting back from Abuja, he consulted related stakeholders and gathered data earlier than figuring out the suitable steps to handle the matter.
Taiwo pressured that the council secretariat should stay accessible to residents, reaffirming his administration’s dedication to an open-door coverage.
The chairman mentioned his administration remained dedicated to people-centred governance.
Taiwo added that he would proceed to prioritise the welfare and safety of residents.
The chairman mentioned safety personnel and community-based security constructions had been mobilised to watch developments and reply to rising issues.
“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 mentioned.
He expressed confidence that cooperation amongst all events would restore cordial relations and guarantee important emergency companies stay accessible to the neighborhood.(NAN)
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
