Peter Obi, Nigerians React, Police Investigates Akere Spare Parts’ Fire Outbreak

The Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, has revealed that an investigation into the fire that engulfed Akere Spare Parts Market is ongoing.

According to Hundeyin, the body of a 65-year-old security guard was discovered at the scene, however, it was learnt that he was shot dead. 

“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,” Hundeyin told Punch. 

Millions worth of goods were lost to the fire which the Director of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, said stated at about 3:28 am on Wednesday, 8 March 2023. 

It took two fire crews from Sari-Iganmu and Ilupeju to prevent the fire from spreading to the nearby petrol station, which was fully loaded with 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). 

“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 litres PMS tanker amongst other adjoining buildings,” Adeseye said in a statement. 

She also disclosed that Tolu Police Division around the area took possession of a male adult discovered at the scene. 

Adeseye said: “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.” 

Also, commenting on the fire outbreak, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the just concluded general election said: “This morning, I received the sad news of the fire outbreak at Akere Spare Parts Market in Olodi-Apapa, Ajegunle, Lagos. 

“Hopefully no life was lost, but the means of livelihood and properties, worth millions of naira, lost to the inferno are of great concern to me.” 

Reactions to the Akere spare parts market fire outbreak

Nigerians have been reacting to the fire outbreak which occurred days before the governorship election in Lagos State. The election has triggered tribal sentiments, leading to some thinking the outbreak was an attack.  

A Twitter user, @ebonyspret, tweeted “Apapa Olodi & Akere spare parts market was set ablaze this morning as part of their ongoing attacks on Igbos Burn 1 Igbo market & watch dem spring up 100s of market. But u will never spring up after ur defeat on 11th  

Also reacting, DrUmaru_AJ (@Princeujay) wrote on Twitter “Dear @jidesanwoolu Akere spare parts Market, has just been burnt down to ashes this morning by your supporters. While you are on Arise TV this morning condemning violence and bigotry in Lagos. This shows your double standard campaign built on lies, violence and bigotry  

An on-air-personality, Sandra Ezekwesili (@SEzekwesili), wrote: “The videos I’ve seen from the Akere Spare Parts Market fire have been so heartbreaking. The helplessness in the voices of the victims. The pain. The helplessness. Sigh.”

Meanwhile, this fire outbreak comes a month after the Balogun market in Lagos State was engulfed by fire, leading to the destruction of goods worth millions of naira. 

There were no human casualties in the fire outbreak in the Balogun market according to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA). It was also the second fire incident in the Balogun market suffered in the last three months as of then.