Lagos government warns against unsafe fuel storage

Friday, November 21, 2025 - The Lagos State Government has issued a fresh warning to market operators against unsafe fuel storage and smoking within market premises, as the Lagos State Safety Commission on Thursday took its sensitisation campaign to Ayangburen Sabo Market in Ikorodu.

The commission declared its commitment to achieving “zero incidents, zero loss, and a safer Lagos for all.”

 The campaign, with the theme “Promoting Safety Culture in Markets,” was led by the Director-General of the commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, who noted that as the Yuletide approaches, markets such as Sabo remain critical to the state’s economy, making safety preparedness non-negotiable.

Mojola, represented by the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Dr. Nike Akindele, expressed concern over recurring market fire incidents in Lagos, many of which, he said, were linked to preventable causes such as unsafe electrical wiring, generator misuse, poor storage practices, and lack of emergency readiness.

He emphasized that the commission was working to reverse this trend through continuous sensitization and the deployment of Market Safety Marshals, who would serve as the first line of defence in identifying hazards and coordinating emergency responses.

“Safety is a shared responsibility,” the DG said. “I urge all shop owners to ensure proper electrical wiring, avoid overloading sockets, and switch off all electrical appliances after business hours.

“Every shop must have at least one functional fire extinguisher. Traders should also avoid open flames, unsafe fuel storage, and smoking within the market,” he said.

The sensitization session featured lectures by safety and fire prevention experts.

An expert, Yinka Adebiyi, delivered the first lecture titled “Safety in the Marketplace,” urging the marketers to be more safety conscious, to switch off electrical appliances when not in use, and to avoid storage of harmful and substandard materials that can ignite fire.

A major highlight of the event was the inauguration of 12 Market Safety Marshals for Sabo Market.

In her remarks, the Iyaloja General of Sabo Market, Alhaja Mutiat Ojulari, pledged to relay the safety messages to traders who were absent and ensure that all market members embrace safer practices.