Some residents of Sabo Market, Orile Igbon, along the Ogbomoso-Ilorin expressway in Oyo State, on Wednesday night attacked firefighters for preventing them from scooping fuel from a fallen petrol-laden tanker.

The tanker, carrying 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), had suffered a tyre burst, resulting in a spill and subsequent fire outbreak.

It was also learnt that the officers of the Oyo State Fire Service, Ogbomoso branch, had responded to the emergency before the arrival of their colleagues in the Kwara State Fire Service, due to closeness to the scene of the incident.

Speaking on the incident, the Head, Media and Publicity of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, on behalf of the director of the service, lamented that it was “deeply concerning that their personnel from Oyo were violently attacked with stones, leading to severe damage to their fire truck, including a shattered windscreen.”

He said, “In the face of this hostility, they were forced to seek refuge at Owode Police Station.

“Upon arrival, our firefighters immediately initiated mitigation efforts to contain the situation and prevent further escalation.

“Through their swift and coordinated response, over 10,000 litres of PMS were safely moved into another tanker, minimising potential hazards. Fortunately, no lives were lost.’’

He warned that anyone found guilty of assaulting fire service personnel would face the full weight of the law, adding that firefighters risk their lives to protect people and property, and any act of violence against them unacceptable.