The Lagos State Police Command has started an inquiry into possible arson at the Akere Motor Spare Parts Market in the state’s Apapa district.
According to a statement issued by the state’s police spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, despite the fact that the fire was extinguished at 3 a.m., a 65-year-old security guard died in the incident.
Meanwhile, market participants have decried the loss of millions of naira. According to reports, a squad of gunmen arrived at 2:30 a.m. and set fire to the market, killing a guy identified as the security guard.
Similarly, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service in a statement earlier on Wednesday said the deceased male adult had “gunshot injury”, fuelling suspicion that the fire was a deliberate attack on the market.
However, Hundeyin said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Idowu Owohunwa urged Lagosians to remain calm as the State Criminal Investigation Department has been directed to take over investigation towards unravelling the true circumstances surrounding the attack.
He equally called for restraints in giving any form of extraneous coloration to the incident, while assuring that the outcome of the investigation will be made public.