Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has directed the Commissioner of Police, Lagos, Idowu Owohunwa, to conduct a full investigation into the Akere fire incident and fish out the perpetrators.
Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, visited the scene of the midnight inferno that destroyed goods and properties worth millions of naira at Akere Auto Spare Part Market in Olodi Apapa in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.
The Governor, who met with the victims of the fire incident, conveyed his sympathy and pledged support for the traders in assuaging their loss.
Some unknown persons were said to have allegedly shot sporadically towards the market, killing one security guard and setting the market on fire.
Sanwo-Olu condemned the incendiary action, describing it as ”unfortunate”, and therefore, directed the Commissioner of Police to ensure a diligent investigation to unravel the perpetrators.
He also condoled with the deceased’s family and promised assistance toward the burial of the deceased.
The governor said, ”I commiserate with the family of the taxi driver who was somewhere close to the market premises but lost his life in the incident.
”I’m also here to share my sympathy with all shop owners who lost their means of livelihood in this fire incident. But we don’t want to pass judgment ahead of the investigation.
”In strong terms, I’m directing the Commissioner of Police to immediately launch a full investigation into the cause of this incident.
”Given the issues we are hearing around, I’m also directing the commissioner to tighten security around markets. All vulnerable markets must be protected.
”We have received the list of all shop owners affected and we’ll vet the list for compensation to help the victims back on their feet.”