President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed deep sadness over the death of a 65-year-old security guard, the loss of personal property and means of livelihood of some hardworking Nigerians at the Akere Spare Parts market in the Apapa Ajegunle area of Lagos State.
DIPLOMATC DIARY reports that a mysterious fire had on Wednesday razed properties worth millions of naira at the Akere market, in the Olodi-Apapa area of Lagos.
Reacting to the incident, President Buhari in a statement issued on Wednesday by Garba Shehu, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, expressed concern, noting that a similar fire incident “occurred at the popular Balogun market a few weeks ago, calling on relevant authorities to take precautions to stem the tide”.
The statement said: “the president’s deepest sympathies are with the traders and their families, who bear the brunt of this unfortunate incident and are at crossroads of what to do after this temporary setback.
“The President is equally concerned that a similar fire incident occurred at the popular Balogun market a few weeks ago, calling on relevant authorities to take precautions to stem the tide”.
While the full extent and cause of the damage is being assessed, President Buhari commended the Lagos State Fire Service for responding to the incident, salvaging a nearby filling station with a 33,000 litres PMS tanker, amongst other adjoining buildings.
Meeanwhile, the Police has commenced investigation into the incident.
A statement by the Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin said, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Idowu Owohunwa urged Lagosians to remain calm as the State Criminal Investigation Department has been directed to take over investigation towards unravelling the true circumstances surrounding the attack.
He equally called for restraints in giving any form of extraneous coloration to the incident, while assuring that the outcome of the investigation will be made public.
The statement read:‘’The Lagos State Police Command has commenced investigation into the early morning fire at the Akere Motor Spare Parts Market, Tolu, Olodi Apapa Lagos.
‘’The fire which started at about 0300hrs was put out by a combined team of officers from Tolu Police Division and the Lagos State Fire Service. Sadly, a 65-year-old security guard lost his life in the incident.
‘’Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Idowu Owohunwa, has urged Lagosians to remain calm as the State Criminal Investigation Department has been directed to take over the investigation towards unravelling the true circumstances surrounding the attack.
“He equally calls for restraints in giving any form of extraneous colouration to the incident, while assuring that the outcome of the investigation will be made public.’’
