Two firefighters are receiving medical treatment after collapsing while battling a fire that engulfed the top floor of a three-storey residential building in the Ketu-Ikosi area of Lagos State.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA)l, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, Olawale Afolabi, who said the incident occurred at about 6:31 a.m.

According to Afolabi, the fire broke out in one of two adjoining three-storey residential buildings located at No. 11, Ademola Taiwo Street, Ketu-Ikosi, and was traced to an electrical surge from a prepaid meter.

He said emergency responders from LASEMA and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service swiftly mobilised to the scene, successfully containing the blaze before it could spread to the adjacent building and other nearby properties.

“The incident involved one of a pair of twin three-storey residential buildings. Upon the arrival of the Tiger Squad, it was observed that the fire had engulfed the topmost floor of the affected building.

“Swift and coordinated firefighting operations were immediately commenced to contain the inferno and prevent it from spreading to the adjoining twin building and other nearby properties,” Afolabi stated.

Preliminary findings, he said, indicated that the fire originated from an electrical surge at a prepaid meter installed on the front section of the building’s balcony before spreading to the upper floor.

During the operation, two firefighters from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service collapsed while working to extinguish the flames.

Afolabi said the affected officers were immediately evacuated by LASEMA’s response team to the Trauma Centre using the agency’s ambulance and a response vehicle for urgent medical attention.

“Both officers are currently receiving treatment and are in stable condition,” he added.

Despite the severity of the incident, LASEMA confirmed that no residents were injured and no lives were lost.

The agency also disclosed that dampening-down operations were ongoing to eliminate residual heat and reduce the risk of another fire outbreak, while recovery efforts continued to secure the affected structure and evaluate the extent of the damage.

LASEMA commended members of its Tiger Squad and personnel of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service for their prompt response and professionalism, noting that their efforts prevented a more devastating disaster.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, urged residents to carry out regular inspections and maintenance of electrical installations, particularly prepaid meters and electrical wiring, to minimise the risk of electrical faults and fire outbreaks.

He also advised the public to remain calm during emergencies, cooperate with emergency responders and promptly report incidents through the Lagos State emergency toll-free numbers 112 and 767.

Some of the victims abducted along the Otukpo–Ogobia Road in Benue State have regained their freedom after gunmen released the driver, the corpse of an elderly woman and one of her three children.

The abductors, however, are still holding two of the siblings and are demanding a N30 million ransom for their release.

DAILY POST reported that the family were reportedly travelling from Abuja to Oklenyi in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State for the burial of their late mother when their vehicle broke down along the Otukpo–Ogobia Road. While stranded, they were allegedly ambushed and kidnapped by armed men.

Family members told Idoma Voice that the kidnappers later freed the driver, handed over the deceased woman’s body and released one of the siblings.

The remains of the woman have since been taken to Okpoga, where funeral rites are already underway.

Despite the partial release, two of the siblings are still being held by the kidnappers.

According to the family sources, the abductors have established contact and are demanding ₦30 million before the remaining victims can regain their freedom.

Relatives are said to be working tirelessly to raise the ransom while also urging security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the captives.

The development has left the family with mixed feelings, as they are relieved to have recovered the body of their late mother and proceeded with her burial, yet remain worried about the fate of the two siblings still in captivity.

As of the time this report was filed, the Benue State Police Command had not issued any official statement regarding the incident.

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, OPHK, supported by personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force, MOPOL, in the early hours of Sunday foiled an attempted mass abduction by suspected ISWAP terrorists at the Federal Government Girls College, FGGC, Monguno.

Forty-six students were rescued in the operation.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, on Sunday.

Goni said the attempted attack occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on July 19 at the school, which is currently being used by the Borno State Government as temporary hostel accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.

According to him, the school, which is currently being used by the Borno State Government as temporary hostel accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno, came under attack as the terrorists attempted to abduct the students.

He added that security personnel on guard immediately engaged the attackers with heavy fire, while the Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force, QRF, rapidly reinforced the location.

The spokesman stated further that the coordinated response forced the terrorists to abandon the operation and flee without taking any of the students.

Goni disclosed that parts of the school infrastructure were damaged during the exchange of gunfire, but the security forces successfully contained the attack and prevented what could have been a major abduction.

“Following the operation, all 46 students were rescued and evacuated to Kinnasara Barracks in Monguno, where they underwent medical assessment and received necessary care. The students have all been confirmed medically stable.

“The terrorists were forced to abandon their criminal mission and flee in confusion without achieving their objective,” the statement said.

However, he revealed that some students were tragically killed after being struck by stray rounds fired by the fleeing terrorists during the firefight.