The Lagos State Government on Thursday, warned the general public to desist from attacking officials of the State Fire Service or face the full wrath of the law.

Mr Rasak Fadipe, Director, Lagos State Fire Service, in a statement, said five firemen were recently attacked in the state.

Fadipe said they were seriously injured at Idewu Street, Olodi-Apapa, Ajegunle and Odunsi Street Itire-Surulere Areas of the state.

“We observed with dismay the frequent attacks on officials of the fire service and obstruction of same from carrying out their official duties by unidentified hoodlums.

“These officers are dedicated and hardworking whose motive is to save lives and property.

“These gallant officers responded to distress calls and were about to carry out their statutory duties when the hoodlums who wanted to avail themselves of the opportunity to loot and steal from the fire victims started attacking, stabbing and chasing them from the scene of fire outbreak.

“A senior officer’s ear was stabbed with a broken bottle, bottle broken on one’s head while others were manhandled. A fire truck was also damaged.

“In order to prevent confrontation and breakdown of law and order, the officials retreated and ran for their lives”, he said.

Fadipe commended the intervention of the Divisional Police Officer at Itire for rescuing the officers from further assault.

He, therefore, appealed to members of the public to desist from damaging government facilities as lots of tax payers money were expended in providing the amenities.

According to him, unwarranted attacks on fire trucks are an indirect denial of other people to benefit from dividends of democracy.

He also assured all and sundry of the readiness of the officers to fight fires whenever called upon.