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Fire: Ban smoking, Lagos govt tells market, sawmill leaders

Published

1 year ago

December 12, 2024

Fire: Ban smoking, Lagos govt tells market, sawmill leaders

The Lagos State Government has called on market leaders to urgently place a ban on smoking in all market places, especially around sawmills and plank markets in the state.

This is with a view to controlling the frequency of fire outbreaks in markets in the metropolis.

Recall that the State Fire and Rescue Service recently disclosed that fire consumed properties worth over N17.49 billion between January and November 2024.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ sensitization coordination and community response on disaster programme put together by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in Lagos, on Tuesday, the Chief Fire Officer, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Olukotun Odunayo, revealed that 1749 fire calls were recorded between January and November 2024.

Odunayo attributed most of the market fire that occured in Lagos to lack of knowledge of what disaster management is all about.

He revealed that managing disasters such as fire starts with knowing what to do and how to organise those around to fight the fire before it spreads.

He explained that fire that can cause colossal damage to property starts from small source before spreading to other areas.

He revealed that interactions with victims at incident scenes revealed that plank market fire mostly started from cigarette smoking or sparks from a faulty electricity connection.

“A big fire can start from ashes from a discarded cigarette or sparks from faulty electricity connection when there is a sudden surge in power supply. This often occurs at night. And when it happens victims result to prayers rather than action because they lack knowledge of what to do.

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“I want to encourage market leaders to embark on an intensive sensitization campaign for traders in different markets. Traders should know what they need to do in case of emergency.

“Leaders should also ban smoking at market places, especially sawmills and plank markets,” he added.

Odunayo explained that the state recorded a total of 1749 fire calls in the last 11 months, adding that most of them were avoidable incidents.

Also speaking, Engr. Jamiu Badmus, Executive Director, Safety Advocate, called for increased sensitization campaign in communities.

Badmus also wondered why gas stores and filling stations were allowed to be sited within residential areas.

He urged relevant government agencies to discourage setting up of gas stations or shops in highly residential concentrated areas for safety reasons.

According to him, most residents are not aware of what to do in the event of fire, adding that most victims result to prayers rather than action.

“This is because they have little or no knowledge of what to do when confronted by such situation,” he said.

In her address to flag off the campaign, the Director General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, recalled that aside losing properties worth N17.49 billion, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) had also stated that, property worth N104.9 billion were also saved within the period.

This, she said, is according to data obtained from both the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

The NEMA boss further recalled that road traffic accidents ranked highest with a record of 46 vehicular incidents and 32 truck/tanker incidents recorded in the state in the same period.

She stated that the meeting provided opportunities to share perspectives, ideas and experiences on fire disaster management, which according to her has become a pressing issue, particularly in Lagos State given its rapid urbanization and population growth.

“Fire disaster management is a viral aspect of overall disaster management and as such we must address it with urgency and clarity,” she added.

Fire: Ban smoking, Lagos govt tells market, sawmill leaders

Related Topics:fire market Sawmill smoking

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Police Arrest 22-Year-Old Over Alleged Rape of Minor in Oyo State

Published

2 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Trends Admin

Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka

Police Arrest 22-Year-Old Over Alleged Rape of Minor in Oyo State

The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 22-year-old man over the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl, describing the action as part of its sustained efforts to protect residents and uphold the law.

In a press statement released on Tuesday, the Command disclosed that the case was reported on December 25 at about 7:00 p.m. at the Alakia Adelubi Police Division.

The statement, signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, said officers received a complaint involving an alleged sexual assault on a minor.

According to preliminary investigations, the suspect, identified as Daniel Ajibola, allegedly committed the act after administering an intoxicating drink to the victim. Police authorities stated that the suspect admitted to the offence during interrogation.

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“The victim was promptly taken to a hospital for medical examination, while the scene of the incident was visited, and the suspect was arrested and taken into custody,” the statement said.

Given the seriousness of the allegation, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, ordered that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet and thorough investigation.

The Commissioner warned that the Command would not tolerate violence against women or crimes against any member of society, adding that the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

He also expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police for his leadership and continued support, which he said has strengthened the Command’s resolve to maintain law and order.

Reiterating its commitment to the protection of lives and property in Oyo State, the Police urged residents to provide credible information to aid crime prevention and detection. The Command also released emergency contact lines, including the Oyo State Call Response Center (615) and Control Room numbers 08081768614 and 07055495413.

Police Arrest 22-Year-Old Over Alleged Rape of Minor in Oyo State

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Army Rescues Over 1,000 Kidnap Victims, Destroys Bandit Camps Across North-West

Published

2 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Trends Admin

Nigerian military troop

Army Rescues Over 1,000 Kidnap Victims, Destroys Bandit Camps Across North-West

More than 1,000 Nigerians abducted by bandits across the North-West have regained their freedom as troops of the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division intensified a sustained military offensive that has dismantled criminal strongholds, killed notorious bandit leaders, and recovered large caches of arms.

The scale of the success was disclosed in Sokoto during the 2025 West African Social Activities (WASA), where the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Maj-Gen Ibikunle Ajose, said operations under Operation FASAN YAMMA have significantly weakened bandit networks operating in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and Kebbi states.

According to the Army, from January 2025 to date, troops recovered 189 AK-47 rifles, over 4,300 rounds of ammunition, 305 motorcycles, and more than 4,000 rustled livestock, while 1,023 kidnapped victims were rescued from forests and hideouts previously considered inaccessible.

Maj-Gen Ajose said several feared bandit leaders were neutralised during aggressive operations, forcing criminal gangs to flee or abandon their camps.

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“Communities that were previously under siege are breathing again. Farmers are returning to their fields and traders are moving goods freely with a renewed sense of safety,” he said.

He attributed the success to the deployment of special forces units trained for rapid strike-and-destroy missions, which enabled troops to strike bandit enclaves with speed and precision.

The disclosure came during the annual WASA celebration at the 8 Division Headquarters, a tradition that allows troops to unwind after months of frontline operations. Beyond the cultural displays, the event highlighted the sacrifices made by soldiers and their families in the fight against banditry and insecurity.

Representing Sokoto State Governor, Dr Ahmed Aliyu, the Special Adviser on Security, Col Ahmed Abdul Usman (rtd), commended the Army for restoring relative peace across the region and pledged continued state support.

“The government stands firmly with the military to ensure our communities remain safe,” he said.

Maj-Gen Ajose also revealed that the Army is prioritising troop welfare, with renovated barracks, upgraded medical facilities, and additional health personnel deployed to support soldiers and their families.

While the Army insists the fight against banditry is not yet over, the destruction of camps, seizure of weapons, and mass rescue of abducted civilians have renewed hope among residents that the tide of insecurity in the North-West may finally be turning.

Army Rescues Over 1,000 Kidnap Victims, Destroys Bandit Camps Across North-West

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Bandits Attack Omi-Ara Community in Kogi, Abduct Several Residents

Published

3 hours ago

December 31, 2025

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Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP William Ovye Aya

Bandits Attack Omi-Ara Community in Kogi, Abduct Several Residents

Suspected bandits have reportedly abducted an undisclosed number of residents following a violent attack on Omi-Ara community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, threw the community into panic, as residents said the exact number and identities of those abducted were yet to be ascertained at the time of filing this report.

According to locals, security agencies have been alerted to the incident, but the Kogi State Police Command had not issued an official statement. Repeated attempts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP William Aya, were unsuccessful, as calls went unanswered and text messages were not responded to.

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The latest incident adds to growing concerns over insecurity in the Yagba axis, which has emerged as a kidnapping hotspot in recent months. Between August and November, armed attackers reportedly invaded two churches—a Cherubim and Seraphim Church and an ECWA Church—during which a pastor and his wife were abducted.

In another related incident, suspected bandits attacked Odo-Ere community, also in Yagba West LGA, on Sunday night, abducting at least four residents.

Residents have continued to call on the government and security agencies to step up efforts to curb the rising wave of banditry and kidnappings in the area.