Thursday, January 30, 2025 - Some residents of Sabo Market, Orile Igbon, along the Ogbomoso-Ilorin expressway in Oyo State allegedly att@cked firefighters that prevented them from siphoning fuel from a fallen tanker.
According to the Nigerian Tribune, the tanker, carrying 33,000 litres of
Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), had suffered a tyre burst on Tuesday night, January
28, resulting in a spill and subsequent fire outbreak.
It was
gathered that the officers of the Oyo State Fire Service, Ogbomoso branch, had
responded to the emergency before the arrival of their colleagues in the Kwara
State Fire Service, due to closeness to the scene of the incident.
The Head,
Media and Publicity of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, who
confirmed the incident in a statement, condemned the attack, adding that the
firefighters were forced to seek refuge at a police station.
“On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 20:27 hours, the Kwara State Fire
Service responded swiftly to a distress call reporting a tanker spill at Sabo
Market, Orile Igbon, along the Ogbomoso Expressway in Oyo State. The tanker,
carrying 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), had suffered a tyre
burst, resulting in a spill and subsequent fire outbreak,” the statement
read.
"Upon arrival, our firefighters immediately initiated mitigation
efforts to contain the situation and prevent further escalation. Through their
swift and coordinated response, over 10,000 litres of PMS were safely siphoned
into another tanker, minimizing potential hazards. Fortunately, no lives were
lost, and no injuries were reported.
“During our investigation, it was confirmed that the incident was
triggered by a tyre burst, which led to the tanker spill and the resulting
fire.”
“Prior to our arrival, the Oyo State Fire Service, Ogbomoso branch, had
already responded to the emergency.
“However, it is deeply concerning that their personnel were violently
attacked with stones, leading to severe damage to their fire truck, including a
shattered windscreen. In the face of this hostility, they were forced to seek
refuge at Owode Police Station," he lamented.
The Director of the Kwara state fire service also condemned such attacks
on firefighters and urged the public to desist from obstructing emergency
responders.
“Any individual found guilty of assaulting fire service personnel will
face the full weight of the law. Firefighters risk their lives to protect
people and property, and any act of violence against them is unacceptable,” he
said.
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