Lagos State has lost property worth ₦19.52 billion to 1,952 fire incidents in 2024, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu revealed on Tuesday, warning that the scale of destruction underscores the urgency for advanced fire prevention strategies.
Speaking at the Lagos State International Fire Safety Conference 2.0 in Victoria Island — themed “Leveraging Technology and Community Engagement to Prevent Fire”, Sanwo-Olu said the state is embracing new measures such as the “Safety on the Move” initiative to tackle recurring tanker fires and other outbreaks.
“Our goal is to ensure every Lagos resident knows how to spot potential fire hazards, prevent fires, stay safe, and help others,” the governor said, urging the public to stay alert to early warning signs.
He commended the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS) for responding to over 2,500 distress calls in 2023, but called for a stronger Incident Command System, wider public education, and the adoption of modern firefighting technologies, including early detection and suppression systems.
Commissioner for Special Duties, Olugbenga Oyerinde, stressed that fire safety required both innovation and community involvement. “We must rejig our strategies due to frequent fire outbreaks. Protecting our communities is a collective responsibility,” he said.
LSFRS Director, Margaret Adeseye, disclosed that in 2024 the agency saved property worth ₦117.12 billion, rescued 450 people alive, and recovered 91 bodies.
She added that 7,039 compliance certificates were issued to companies, while 831 were found non-compliant with the state fire safety code.
“In 2023, we recorded 2,573 fire incidents, but in 2024, it dropped to 1,952,” she said, noting that fire safety is ultimately about protecting lives and the future.
