The Ogun State Government has disputed Nollywood actor Kunle Afod’s claim that emergency responders failed to arrive promptly at the scene of a fatal accident along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, insisting that its ambulance and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) personnel arrived 10 minutes after the incident was reported.
The government said the accident, which occurred around Saapade, was reported by a passerby at the FRSC point in Ogere at 12:18 pm, while the ambulance and other emergency personnel arrived at the scene at 12:28 pm.
It explained that the responders had to navigate the expressway and turn to the opposite carriageway before reaching the accident scene.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kayode Akinmade, said the Ogun State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (OGSAES) responded promptly and helped save lives.
“The Ogun State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (OGSAES) responded promptly and helped save lives,” the statement said.
The government further disclosed that six ambulance points were located between OPIC and Ogunmakin along the expressway, adding that its emergency call centre did not receive any distress call from the area concerning the accident.
It also said the Nigeria Police and the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency participated in the rescue operation.
According to the statement, victims were initially taken to Victory Hospital, Ogere, while those with more serious injuries were transported in the state ambulance to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu.
The government commiserated with the families of those affected by the accident and wished the injured victims a speedy recovery.
However, it accused Afod of politicising the incident and attempting to portray the Abiodun administration negatively through a video he shared from the accident scene.
The government alleged that the actor was a supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in the state, Ladi Adebutu, citing videos in which he campaigned for the opposition politician.
While acknowledging Afod’s right to support any political candidate, the government urged him not to allow partisan considerations to influence his comments on an incident involving injured victims and their families.
It also alleged that the actor had produced a campaign video for Adebutu days before the accident, describing his latest video as an attempt to generate negative publicity for the state government.
“It is unfortunate that a partisan Nollywood actor chose to peddle falsehood out of spite, making a mockery of the respected industry he represents,” the statement said.
The government further described Afod’s claims as false, insisting that its emergency response team acted swiftly after receiving information about the accident.
Akinmade maintained that playing politics with victims of road accidents was condemnable, adding that the Abiodun administration would not be distracted by what it described as politically motivated attempts to discredit its emergency response system.
The government also urged motorists to exercise caution and observe traffic regulations while using the highways, particularly warning against excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking and reckless driving.
It advised drivers to ensure that their vehicles were roadworthy and comply with safety guidelines issued by the FRSC.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting lives on the state’s highways, Akinmade urged residents to report emergencies through the dedicated state emergency line, 08112000033.
The statement clarified that Ogun State was not currently operating the national emergency number 112, explaining that the Nigerian Communications Commission had yet to make the service functional in the state despite efforts to activate it.
