On Wednesday night, residents of Sabo Market in Orile Igbon, Oyo State, reportedly attacked firefighters who were responding to a fuel spill caused by a fallen petrol-laden tanker. The tanker, carrying 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), experienced a tyre burst, leading to a spillage and a subsequent fire outbreak.
Firefighters from the Oyo State Fire Service arrived at the scene before their counterparts from the Kwara State Fire Service due to proximity. Hassan Adekunle, the Head of Media and Publicity for the Kwara State Fire Service, expressed concern over the violent reaction from residents, who allegedly threw stones at the firefighters, severely damaging their truck and shattering its windscreen.
“In the face of this hostility, the firefighters had to seek refuge at Owode Police Station,” Adekunle stated. Despite the attack, the fire service team quickly initiated containment efforts, successfully siphoning over 10,000 litres of fuel into another tanker, thereby minimizing further hazards. Fortunately, no lives were lost during the incident.
Adekunle emphasized that any individuals found guilty of assaulting fire service personnel would face serious legal consequences, as such violence against those risking their lives to protect the community is unacceptable. He reiterated the importance of respecting first responders in emergency situations.
