According to the Lagos State administration, in 2024, fire occurrences throughout the state caused the loss of property valued at N19.52 billion. This was revealed by Mr. Olugbenga Oyerinde, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, at the current ministerial press briefing on Wednesday to commemorate the second year of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s second term.
According to him, 91 people were found dead from fire events, whilst 450 people were found alive. The commissioner added that fire accidents prevented the loss of property valued at an estimated N117.12 billion. Oyerinde emphasized the significant progress made in coordinating disaster response activities and building strong relationships throughout the nation’s governmental levels. By incorporating the Nigerian Forest Security Service into the state’s security architecture, the commissioner alluded to the government’s improved security plan. He said that in order to improve security management in the State’s border areas and ensure the safety of commuters, a total of 100 security officers were hired. He went on to say that the state government showed a strong commitment to employee welfare by doubling security officers’ allowances. According to him, two new fire stations were put into service in Ijegun-Egba and Ijede to facilitate fire safety operations, and the ministry gave 320 units of vital security equipment, such as batons, torch lights, bulletproof jackets, gloves, and raincoats, to frontline personnel. Oyerinde revealed that in order to increase the capability for fire safety and rescue operations, industrial boreholes were placed in strategic fire stations around Alausa, Isolo, Ebute-Elefun, Ajegunle, and Ogombo in order to improve the water quality for fire suppression. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) reacted to 2,022 incidents between January 2024 and March 2025, the commissioner said, implying that the agency’s Pre-Hospital Care Unit handled 707 medical situations and successfully rescued and treated 4,847 accident victims.
