There was chaos in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Sunday after suspected hoodlums allegedly attacked officials of the Oyo State Fire Service while they were responding to a fire emergency.
The incident reportedly happened at Atari-Agbon, in the Oki area of Olodo, where firefighters were deployed to control a dangerous situation involving a fuel tanker.
Firefighters Were Handling Fuel Tanker Emergency
According to the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, the team was mobilised immediately after receiving a distress call.
He explained that when the firefighters arrived at the scene, they met a MACK trailer tanker with registration number KSH329XA, reportedly loaded with about 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The tanker was said to have swerved and crossed the road, disrupting traffic and raising fears of a possible explosion.
Akinwande said the fire service team quickly began work using chemical foam and other safety equipment to prevent the situation from escalating.
Looters Allegedly Turned on Firefighters
However, the situation took a violent turn after the operation was successfully completed.
Akinwande alleged that while officers were packing their equipment, some individuals who were looting valuables at the scene began attacking the firefighters with dangerous weapons.
He said the attackers used items such as:
- Broken bottles
- Stones
- Cutlasses
- Other harmful objects
Several firefighters reportedly sustained injuries, while one officer was said to have suffered a serious head injury.
Injured Officer Initially Rejected by Hospital Over Security Fears
The chairman further revealed that it took almost an hour before the injured officer could be rescued from the scene due to the chaos.
He also disclosed that the first hospital they rushed the officer to allegedly refused to treat him, fearing that the hoodlums could invade the facility and vandalise it.
The officer was later moved to another hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment and responding.
Police Informed, Arrests Made
Akinwande confirmed that the incident has been reported at the Iyana Ofa Police Station, adding that some suspects have already been arrested and will be prosecuted.
He said investigations are still ongoing to track down more individuals involved in the attack.
More updates are expected as the case develops.
