Security Guard Killed As Fire Guts Lagos Spare Parts Market

Labour Candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour Pledges Support

By Damilare Adeleye

A 65-year-old security guard has reportedly been feared dead after a fire outbreak occurred at Akere Spare Parts Market, Ajegunle in the Apapa area of Lagos State.

The fire, it was learnt, also destroyed goods worth millions of naira.

The Director of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Adeseye Margaret, in a statement on Wednesday, confirmed that the fire started at about 3:28 am.

He added that the Ajegunle Fire Station was the first respondent.

The statement read partly, “Upon arrival, it was discovered that rows of shops that traded in auto spare parts were well alight that led to Sari-Iganmu and Ilupeju Fire Crews of the Agency joining up to subdued the raging Fire and salvage a nearby major market Petroleum Filling Station with a fully loaded 33,000 liters PMS tanker amongst other adjoining buildings.

The market which is predominantly populated by non-Yoruba traders is said to generate considerable revenue for the State government. However, there are strong speculations of arson emanating from political intimidation of predominantly non indigenous traders plying their trade in the market.

“However, a male adult was recovered by the Tolu Police Division of the Nigerian Police around the scene while the Lagos Neighborhood and Safety Corps and the Red Cross were also in attendance.”

Adeseye added that the cause of the fire would require an investigation to account for the number of lockup shops and wares lost.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, however, told reporters that the deceased was shot dead.

He said, “A 65-year-old security guard in the market was shot dead. We have identified him and his corpse has been taken to the mortuary. An investigation is ongoing.”

Meanwhile, the Labour Party governorship candidate for Lagos State, Gbadebo Patrick Rhodes-Vivour has visited the scene to sympathize with traders who lost their wares. The Labour candidate promised to support the victims of the disaster.