NEMA Confirms 23 Killed When Several building Collapsed in South West in Past Months

NEMA Confirms 23 Killed When Several

building Collapsed in South West in

Past Months

By Niyi Adeyi – No fewer than 23 people have

lost their lives, while a total of 1,675 buildings

were destroyed in various disasters in the last

four months in the South Western Nigeria.

The National Emergency Management Agency

(NEMA) has announced that a total of 23

people have lost their lives, while 1,675

buildings were destroyed.

The agency in a statement issued Sunday by

its zonal Spokesperson, Ibrahim Farinose,

indicated, “the Zonal Office recorded about

two hundred (200) fire disaster incidences

and several others that were handled by the

efficient firemen of Lagos State Fire Service

who have been making effective use of the

State-of-the Art fire appliances acquired by

the state government, to attend to about five

(5) fire calls daily”

NEMA Publicist stated that it was

disheartening to say that in the period under

review, a fire man was lost on duty line while

trying to rescue a victim in a local well,

adding that he remained in coma for long

before given up the ghost.

“This incident really dampened the morale,

passion and spirits of the Officers and men of

Lagos Fire Service as it was the first time, the

Service would experience such incident. The

State Government, which has always

applauded the diligence of the service

personnel, is passionately implored to kindly

urge to further look into enhancement of the

firemen welfare” NEMA revealed.

Similarly, Mr. Farinose, disclosed that in the

period under review, seven children, including

a six-month-old, were consumed in infernos.

Also, period NEMA said recorded two suicide

attempts; one person climbed a television

mast, but was rescued while one died before

help could reach him. Another 10 persons the

agency’s Spokesman informed suffered

various degrees of injuries from March to

June this year.

The statement clarified that out of the 1,675

houses and 313 shops destroyed by fire and

windstorms across the zone, 989 houses and

219 shops were recorded in Lagos; 430

houses in Oyo.

The emergency agency said it provided relief

materials to victims various disasters in 15

communities, including Odofin, Agboju and

Alakija in Amuwo Odofin LGA; Epe,

Ogunmodede, Epetedo, Odo Iragbusi, Iraye,

Poka and Ketu communities in Epe LGA; Ijede,

Imota and Ikorodu in Ikorodu LGA; Ajara,

Ibereko and Kakoa in Badagry LGA.

The relief materials for Iba, Obadore, Abule

Ado, Ije Ododo and Okokomaiko in Ojo LGA

NEMA explained were delivered to the Lagos

State Emergency Management Agency

(LASEMA) for onward distribution among the

victims.

NEMA said the victims of the windstorms and

fire disasters in seven communities of Igboho

in Oorelope Local Government Area; Igangan

in Ibarapa North Local Government Area;

several communities in Afijio, Atiba and Oyo

West Local Government Area had received

relief material through the Oyo State

Emergency Management Agency.

In Ogun State, the NEMA image maker said

the victims of market fire at Igbo Aje market

in Yewa South; Abeokuta South; Abeokuta

North; Ayetoro and Topolo communities of

Yewa North have received relief materials by

NEMA through its Ogun State office.

“NEMA is hereby appealing to Nigerians and

corporate organisations to invest more in

disaster risk reduction measures to secure

their lives and property.

“There is need for Nigerians to be more fire

safety conscious in their course of their daily

activities as fire disaster does not have any

season when it can occur. Many people have

been wondering while frequent occurrences of

fire disasters on daily bases, they should be

aware that fire is a good friend if you manage

it carefully and can cause extensive

destructions if not properly managed well at

any time.

“We should avoid leaving children alone in a

locked-up apartment without neighbours

having knowledge or access to the area in

case of emergency. If we must use candle at

any time, the elders must ensure that it is put

off before leaving the place for children.

Community responsibility of being a brother

keeper must be enhanced and encouraged for

the best interest of everyone as we do not

when we may need the help of our

neighbours.