Lagos records 1,675 emergencies in 2024 as FG seeks review of fire laws

Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed attending to 1,675 incidents between January and December, 2024. In a statement, yesterday, the Head, Public Affairs of LASEMA, Nosa Okunbor, said out of the 1,675 cases, 167 of them were attended to in December 2024, effectively bringing the total figures from June 1,2019 to December 31, 2024 to 8,117 incidents handled by the agency.

Out of the 167 incidents in December 2024, road accident ranked first with 58 vehicular crashes, truck/tanker category came second with 43 incidents, comprising 29 truck/tanker accidents, 11 breakdowns, two fallen truck/tankers, and one stuck tanker incident.

It added that fire disaster placed third with 33 incidents, consisting of 31 fire outbreaks, one burnt tanker/truck and one burnt car/BRT bus. Seventeen other events, comprising 15 assorted incidents, one well incident and one assault, ranked fourth, while the medical category emerged fifth, with 13 assorted incidents, with one building collapse, one explosion, and one gas leakage jointly ranked sixth in position.

However, the agency did not record any case under the marine, train or air crash category in the month of December. Data analysis of incidents handled per local council in the month under review revealed that Eti-Osa Local Council ranked highest with 23 cases attended to out of the 167 incidents recorded, followed by Ikeja Local Council with 22 recorded incidents, while the densely populated Alimosho Local Council, with the largest landmass, ranked third with 21 cases.

Furthermore, Kosofe Local Council ranked fourth with 15 incidents, Mushin and Lagos Mainland Local Council ranked fifth, each with 12 incidents, followed by Lagos Island Local Council at seventh with 11 incidents recorded.

Oshodi-Isolo council area was eighth with 10 incidents, Shomolu ranked ninth with eight incidents, Apapa was 10th with seven incidents, and Surulere Local Council ranked 11th with six incidents.

Also, Ifako-Ijaiye Local Council ranked 12th with five incidents, Amuwo-Odofin was 13th with three incidents, while Agege, Ibeju-Lekki, Ikorodu, Epe, Ojo Local Council were ranked 14th with two incidents each, while Badagry and Ajeromi-Ifelodun council areas did not record any emergency/disaster in December.

IN a related development, the Federal Government has again called on the National Assembly to fast-track the repeal of the Fire Service Act of 1963 to boost efficiency in the sector.

Controller General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Abdulganiyu Jaji, made the appeal at the weekend in Abuja. He said the law has become obsolete, and therefore, needed to be repealed and re-enacted to capture global best practices and reflect currency of events and changes over time.

“It is my sincere prayers that key stakeholders join hands with the honourable Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in facilitating the repeal and re-enactment of the current Fire Service Act of 1963 which has become outdated. If this is achieved, it will reposition the service for enhanced delivery,” he urged.

Addressing concerns over incessant inferno and the loss of lives and property in recent times, the CG said his agency was embarking on setting up more fire stations to address the challenge of response time, which would translate to reduced loss, damages and saving of more lives.

He said at least 100 persons have been killed by fire across the federation in 2024 alone, with an estimated property loss of N67.1 billion, while N1.9 trillion was saved, and 30, 890 persons rescued.

His words: “In the year 2024, the Federal Fire Service successful saved property worth N1.9 trillion and recorded an estimated property loss of N67.1 billion. In the same year, the Federal Fire Service responded to fire and other emergencies during which 30,890 lives were saved, while about 100 lives were lost.

“Currently, we are in the Harmattan season when humidity is low and the risk of static spark or gas explosion can spread rapidly. Fire is a delicate and dynamic force that requires us to be more cautious and vigilant.”