Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu pledged a firm response to the devastating fire at Dosunmu Market, vowing to demolish unsafe structures to facilitate a thorough cleanup and prevent future tragedies.
Sanwo-Olu made the comments during a visit to the market on Thursday, two days after the inferno ripped through the area. Officials, including Lagos Territorial Coordinator of National Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, reported that at least 14 buildings were gutted, with four collapsing entirely.
The Governor decried the incident as “preventable” and attributed it to carelessness. In a social media post, he emphasized that “Dosunmu Market will remain closed until safety and regulatory compliance are assured. Unapproved buildings will be demolished. Our commitment to market safety and order is unwavering.”
Sanwo-Olu expressed frustration with the initial response, stating, “This fire started on Tuesday and first responders were activated. We believed we could contain it, but unfortunately, there was a lot of recklessness, and responders were denied access. Even 48 hours later, it’s still an active disaster zone.”
He warned of potential further demolition, stating, “While 14 buildings are confirmed affected, more may be condemned after a comprehensive structural assessment.”
Sanwo-Olu emphasized the preventable nature of the disaster, promising a thorough investigation. “We suspect carelessness and a disregard for safety regulations,” he said. “We’ll also audit the conversion of residential apartments into warehouses storing flammable materials. This is unacceptable. We will not allow a few to endanger lives.”
The Governor announced a full market closure, emphasizing, “The market will be closed for assessments and proper cleanup. Some buildings will undoubtedly be demolished.”
Sanwo-Olu declared the fire a wake-up call, stating, “The government will not hesitate to demolish non-compliant structures. We will enforce the rules, and I will keep this market closed for as long as it takes. There will be zero tolerance.”
