The Lagos State Government has disclosed that property worth N19.52 billion was lost to fire incidents across the state in 2024.
This revelation came during a ministerial press briefing on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Olugbenga Oyerinde.
The briefing was part of events marking the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term.
Oyerinde stated that 91 lives were lost to fire outbreaks during the period, while 450 individuals were rescued due to swift intervention by emergency responders. He added that despite the heavy losses, property worth N117.12 billion was salvaged through timely emergency actions.
He said the achievements recorded were made possible through “strategic collaboration with federal agencies and continuous investment in infrastructure and training.”
To boost public safety, Oyerinde announced new security initiatives including the recruitment and deployment of 100 personnel to border communities for improved surveillance. He also disclosed an increase in allowances for security operatives “to improve morale and operational effectiveness.”
According to him, the ministry has distributed 320 security kits comprising “batons, torches, bulletproof vests, gloves, and raincoats,” and commissioned two new fire stations in Ijegun-Egba and Ijede to strengthen fire response capacity.
He revealed that additional fire stations are under construction in Kosofe, Yaba, Ikotun, and other parts of the city “to close response gaps across the metropolis.”
In a related development, industrial boreholes have been installed at fire stations in Alausa, Isolo, Ebute-Elefun, Ajegunle, and Ogombo to improve water supply for firefighting. “This initiative,” he noted, “forms part of a long-term strategy to enhance Lagos’ fire suppression capabilities.”
Oyerinde further reported that the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) responded to 2,022 emergency cases between January 2024 and March 2025.
He said, “LASEMA’s Pre-Hospital Care Unit handled 707 medical cases and successfully rescued and treated 4,847 accident victims within the same period.”
