There was a fire incident at Alaba International Market, located in the Ojo area of Lagos State, Adeseye Margaret, the director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed.
According to her, the fire crews from Ojo, Sari-Iganmu, and Ajegunle are being turned back by angry mobs from performing their statutory duty but are presently on standby.
It was gathered that men of the Nigerian Police force started the fire.
According to an eyewitness who spoke with BusinessDay, the officers raided the market in search of narcotics peddlers.
“They asked the northerners to leave their settlement because they were peddling hard drugs and found out they had guns in the process,” the source said.
“So the police officers set the place ablaze.”
Meanwhile, Adeseye said that her agency is consequently collaborating with security agents to quell the fire.
The fire has mainly affected the makeshift shops, also known as shanties, in the market.
Emergency Alert!
Report reaching Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service indicates shops at the popular Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos are on Fire. However, Fire Crew from Ojo, Sari-Iganmu and Ajegunle are being turned back by angry mobs from performing their statutory…
— Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (@LagosRescue) May 5, 2023
Details later…
