Lagos shuts Ejigbo Fire Station over repeated attacks on firefighters

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has shut its Ejigbo Fire Station indefinitely following repeated reported attacks on its personnel, while calling on security agencies to investigate the incidents impartially.

The Service said the closure was necessary to protect firefighters and firefighting equipment after personnel were allegedly assaulted at the station on Tuesday, October 13, and Friday, October 16, 2026.

According to the agency, the first incident was reported to the Ejigbo Police Station, but the alleged attackers returned days later and disrupted operations despite the intervention of senior police officials.

The Controller-General of the Service, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, condemned the reported assaults, warning that attacks on emergency responders could threaten public safety and hamper the delivery of essential services.

In a statement, Adeseye said the incidents had raised serious concerns about the security of firefighters and other emergency personnel responsible for protecting lives and property across Lagos State.

She emphasised that emergency responders must be allowed to carry out their legally assigned responsibilities without being subjected to violence, intimidation or unlawful interference.

“Attacks on emergency responders can compromise operational readiness, delay emergency interventions and expose members of the public to avoidable risks,” she said.

Adeseye disclosed that the Ejigbo station would remain closed indefinitely until the matter was satisfactorily resolved. She added that the firefighters and equipment assigned to the facility would be temporarily moved to an undisclosed location for security reasons.

According to her, the relocation was intended to protect personnel and equipment while ensuring that emergency response services continued in the affected area.

The Controller-General urged relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough, fair and professional investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incidents and take appropriate legal action against anyone found culpable.

She reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to protecting lives and property throughout Lagos State, adding that it would continue to work with relevant authorities to resolve the security concerns and provide firefighters with a safe working environment.