Looters attack Oyo fire agency staff in Ibadan [PHOTOS]

Firefighters Attacked While Responding to Blaze in Ibadan

IBADAN, Oyo State — Emergency responders from the Oyo State Fire Service were assaulted while attending to a fire incident in the Atari-Agbon area of Olodo on Sunday.

According to Maroof Akinwande, chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, the attack occurred as firefighters were mobilizing to manage the situation involving a MACK trailer tanker carrying 45,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) that had swerved and obstructed traffic.

During their operation, which included the application of chemical foam to prevent an explosion, members of the firefighting team faced a barrage of attacks from looters wielding dangerous weapons such as broken bottles and cutlasses. Several firefighters sustained injuries, with one seriously hurt, requiring immediate medical attention.

Akinwande stated that the chaotic situation delayed the rescue of the injured firefighter, who was initially transported to a hospital that refused treatment due to concerns over safety. The officer has since been transferred to another medical facility and is reportedly responding well to care.

The incident has been reported to the Iyana Ofa Police Station, where some arrests have been made. Ongoing investigations are expected to lead to further apprehensions related to the attack on the firefighters.

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