The Lagos State Police Command says it has commenced investigation into suspected arson at the Akere Motor Spare Parts Market in the Apapa area of the state.
In a statement on Wednesday, police spokesman in the state, Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed that a a 65-year-old security guard lost his life in the fire.
Meanwhile, traders at the market have lamented the loss of several millions of naira.
Reports have it that gunmen suspected to be political thugs stormed the market at about 2:30am and set the market ablaze, killing the security guard who tried to stopped them.
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.
