Some employees of LG Electronics in Abule Osun, Trade Fair, Lagos State have been arrested for allegedly stealing foreign currency from their employer amidst a devastating fire that swept through the warehouse early on Sunday, August 11.
The blaze, which began shortly after midnight, destroyed goods worth billions of Naira. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) reported receiving distress calls at 12:15 a.m., with fire officials arriving 25 minutes later to combat the flames.
According to Nosa Okunbor, Head of the Public Affairs Unit at LASEMA, the fire caused significant damage to equipment, small forklifts, and household goods including TVs, refrigerators, and air conditioners, estimated to be worth hundreds of billions of Naira.
The fire has since been contained through the collaborative efforts of LASEMA’s LRT, LRU Fire Unit, Lagos State Fire & Rescue Service, Federal Fire Service, and other emergency responders, who managed to prevent it from spreading to adjacent structures such as other warehouses, a gas station, diesel tankers, expatriate quarters, and nearby buildings.
During the chaos, some workers allegedly took advantage of the situation to steal. A witness at the scene reported that police and military personnel were deployed due to theft reports by some of the workers.
The witness said, “We were trying to control the fire when some colleagues alerted us about the blaze. While some were engaged in fire control, others broke into the offices and stole foreign currencies.”
Several of the alleged thieves were apprehended and interrogated by soldiers. One of the individuals detained, known only as Ali Baba, was seen being escorted by soldiers to identify other suspects involved in the theft.
A customer who bought scraps from the warehouse commented, “Ali Baba had been with the company for over a decade and was well-regarded by his employers. His handling by the soldiers indicated his involvement in the theft.”
