The Anambra State Police Command has refuted reports of casualties in a fire that engulfed a two-storey building storing textile materials on Ifejika Street, near the Main Market in Onitsha.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, reaffirmed that no lives were lost in the incident, as previously stated in an official release.
During a media briefing in Awka, the Commissioner of Police for Anambra, Ikioye Orutugu, extended his sympathies to the victims affected by the warehouse fire.
“Regrettably, before I go into the details of some notable achievements recorded by the Command, we wish to sympathize with the victims of the warehouse fire,” Orutugu stated.
He emphasized that the tragedy might have been avoided with proper precautionary measures but reassured the public that there were no recorded fatalities. He commended the swift response of the Fire Service and concerned individuals who assisted in containing the blaze.
“The police have taken over the scene to investigate the cause of the fire and to prevent hoodlums from exploiting the situation to commit crimes,” he added.
Echoing the police statement, the Fire Chief of the Anambra Fire Service, Mr. Chukwudi Chiketa, confirmed that no lives were lost in the fire incident.
“To the best of my knowledge, there were no fatalities. The area is mainly used for parking and warehousing traders’ goods,” Chiketa explained.
He dismissed circulating reports suggesting casualties, urging the public to ignore a viral video claiming otherwise. He described the footage as misleading and an attempt to undermine the credibility of security agencies and emergency responders.
Authorities have assured the public that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire while maintaining security at the site to prevent any further incidents.