There was chaos at the Old Garage Area in Osogbo, Osun State, on Thursday when a vehicle caught fire near MDS Road. As residents scrambled to douse the flames using fire extinguishers and water, frustration grew over the late arrival of the Federal Fire Service. The fire had already been mostly subdued by the time firefighters arrived.
Angry residents, displeased with the perceived delay, began to hurl objects at the firemen and threatened to assault them if they stopped at the scene. This forced the operatives to quickly retreat without attempting to assist further. The incident caused a stir, with many blaming the fire service for negligence.
State Controller of the Federal Fire Service, Femi Akinjobi, condemned the attack, saying his men were deployed immediately after receiving a distress call from a state fire service official. He expressed disappointment that police officers present did not act to prevent the mob from threatening his team.
Akinjobi explained that the fire service vehicle ran into traffic while responding, and he even followed in his private car. However, the hostility from bystanders forced them to flee the area for their safety. He said the attack was unfair and misdirected, especially as his men were ready to help.
Responding to the claims, Osun Police Command spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi said police operatives were present and tried to manage the crowd. He added that residents were already agitated due to the delay, and although no physical attack occurred, the firemen left out of fear. By the time the Federal Fire Service arrived, the fire had largely been put out.
