Osun Residents Confront Federal Firefighters Over Alleged Delayed Response

Angry residents in Osogbo, Osun State, reportedly attacked personnel of the Federal Fire Service on Thursday, July 24, 2025, over what they claimed was a delayed response to a vehicle fire near MDS Road, Old Garage Area.

Witnesses said the vehicle caught fire, prompting people nearby to scramble for water and fire extinguishers in an effort to contain the blaze. Tensions escalated when firefighters arrived at the scene after the fire had already been subdued, leading to the crowd hurling objects at them and threatening further violence if they attempted to remain.

Femi Akinjobi, the State Controller of the Federal Fire Service, condemned the attack and stated that his men had responded promptly after receiving a distress call from an official of the state fire service. Akinjobi, who accompanied the team in his private vehicle, said the response was hindered by traffic congestion and added that the police present at the scene failed to intervene.

“My men were stoned and had to retreat. They couldn’t carry out their duties due to the hostile environment,” Akinjobi said, adding that no damage was done to the fire truck.

However, Osun State Police Command spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, refuted the claim of inaction. He explained that officers were on the scene and worked to prevent violence. According to Ojelabi, the public was already frustrated by the delay in response, and the fire had largely been extinguished by the time the Federal Fire Service arrived.

He clarified that the crowd shouted at the firemen rather than physically attacking them, prompting the crew to leave quickly to avoid escalation.