The Lagos State Government has announced that fire incidents across the state resulted in property losses valued at N19.52 billion in 2024, according to a report presented during a ministerial press briefing on Wednesday.
Mr. Olugbenga Oyerinde, Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, revealed these figures during the briefing, which was part of activities marking Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's second anniversary of his second term in office.
The commissioner disclosed that while 91 lives were tragically lost to various fire incidents during the period under review, emergency responders successfully rescued 450 individuals. Through timely intervention, property worth N117.12 billion was salvaged from destruction.
Enhanced Emergency Response Measures
Oyerinde highlighted significant achievements in strengthening the state's emergency preparedness and disaster response capabilities. These improvements were attributed to strategic collaboration with federal agencies and continuous investment in infrastructure and personnel training.
As part of broader security initiatives, the commissioner announced that 100 security personnel have been newly recruited and deployed to border communities to enhance surveillance and protect commuters. The government has also doubled allowances for security operatives to boost morale and operational effectiveness.
"The ministry distributed 320 security kits, including batons, torches, bulletproof vests, gloves, and raincoats to enhance the operational capacity of our security personnel," Oyerinde stated.
New Fire Stations and Infrastructure
To strengthen fire response capacity across the metropolis, the government has commissioned two new fire stations in Ijegun-Egba and Ijede. Additional stations are currently under construction in Kosofe, Yaba, Ikotun, and other strategic locations to close response gaps.
The commissioner also revealed that industrial boreholes have been installed at key fire stations in Alausa, Isolo, Ebute-Elefun, Ajegunle, and Ogombo to boost water availability for firefighting operations. This forms part of a long-term strategy to enhance Lagos' fire suppression capabilities.
LASEMA's Emergency Response Record
According to Oyerinde, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) responded to 2,022 emergency situations from January 2024 to March 2025. During this period, LASEMA's Pre-Hospital Care Unit handled 707 medical cases and successfully rescued and treated 4,847 accident victims.
These figures underscore the critical role of emergency services in Nigeria's most populous city, where rapid urbanization and population density present unique challenges for disaster management and emergency response.
