A mob has attacked personnel of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), in Lokoja, Kogi State, injuring all of them in the process.
Ugo Huan, Public Relations Officer of the FFS, disclosed this on Friday in a statement made available to the press.
According to the statement, the attack took place on Wednesday along Felele road when firefighters were turning out for a car fire at Al-Salam fuel station opposite the Kogi State Polytechnic.
The State command had received a fire call concerning a car fire but while approaching the scene, a mob – armed with dangerous weapons – began to attack the truck conveying firefighters.
“They destroyed parts of the truck while also injuring firefighters who are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
“This is the second time in Kogi State firefighters will be attacked’, the statement read in part.
Huan said the matter has since been reported to the Police for investigation and subsequent arrest of those responsible.
Meanwhile, the Controller General of the FFS, Dr Liman Ibrahim, has condemned the attack, vowing to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those behind the dastardly act.
While reiterating that it is a criminal offence for anyone to attack firefighters or fire trucks for whatsoever reasons, the CG threatened that “any state government that can not ensure the protection of Federal Fire Service firefighters and equipment in their states will leave the Service with no other option but to withdraw its presence from the State.”
The Controller General said this attack had buttressed his call for the establishment of an armed squad in the FFS with the responsibility of protecting firefighters and fire trucks at fire scenes.
