The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has restored free flow of traffic on Lagos roads after recovering two major truck incidents that obstructed vehicular movement along Ikorodu Road and the National-Ashade corridor.

According to a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA,
Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu,
in the first incident, the agency received a distress alert at 5:53 p.m. yesterday, and deployed its Cobra Team stationed at Onipanu to the scene of the incident at Palm Groove inward Obanikoro along Ikorodu Road.

“Upon arrival at the scene, the Response Team observed a loaded mixer truck belonging to Ecocrete Construction Company which had been involved in a lone accident and had fallen sideways on the BRT corridor.

” Preliminary investigation suggests that the accident was due to reckless driving and overspeeding,” the PS said.

However, while no casualty was recorded, the driver of the affected truck absconded immediately after the incident.

It was further gathered that the LASEMA, in collaboration with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and the Nigeria Police Force, promptly secured the scene, controlled traffic and commenced recovery operations to evacuate the impediment off the BRT lane.

The PS said that on the same day, at about 11:21 p.m., the LASEMA Eagle Response Team stationed at Cappa was activated following a report of a truck incident at National, Ashade.

It was learnt that a MACK truck with an unknown registration number, laden with double 20ft containers, had broken down while attempting to make a U-turn.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the incident was caused by a tyre burst, which made the truck tilt, posing a serious threat to road users and blocking about eighty per cent of the roadway,” the PS stated

According to Oke-Osanyintolu, in line with global best practices in emergency management, the Eagle Team immediately implemented traffic diversion measures and secured the perimeter to prevent a secondary incident, while responders from LASEMA and LASTMA remained on ground managing traffic while awaiting heavy-duty equipment.

The containers were successfully recovered and placed on the Agency’s lowbed, while the MACK truck was towed to the LASTMA yard at Oshodi with the aid of a private tow truck.

The road has since been fully cleared and reopened for free vehicular movement.

While commending the gallantry and professionalism of the Cobra and Eagle Response Teams and all collaborating agencies for their swift intervention, which prevented gridlock and averted potential secondary accidents, Oke-Osanyintolu reaffirmed the commitment of the Lagos State Government to building a resilient emergency management system that guarantees prompt response to all emergencies across the State.

The Permanent Secretary also urged drivers of articulated vehicles and heavy-duty trucks to ensure proper maintenance of their vehicles, adhere strictly to speed limits and traffic regulations, and exercise utmost caution on Lagos roads.

Members of the public were also enjoined to continue to report emergencies promptly via the 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines for immediate response.

Obalolu Darasimi

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) averted what could have been a major disaster as it recovered a fully loaded tanker with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at Isimi Lagos inward Itokin, Epe, Lagos.

Explaining the incident, the LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, disclosed that the agency received a distress call at 10:19 a.m.; the agency’s LRT Beta Whales Team stationed at Epe was immediately activated and dispatched to the incident scene.

According to the PS, the tanker, with registration number T-18212LA, crashed into a stationary Ford pickup van loaded with animal feed, with registration number KJA-13FJ.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the tanker, while attempting to manoeuvre past the stationary Ford pickup van which had developed a mechanical fault along the carriageway, had one of its rear tyres slip into a pit, causing it to overturn and fall onto the pickup van, leading to spillage of its highly inflammable contents onto the roadway,” the PS explained.

In collaboration with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, LNSC, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, and the Nigeria Police Force, promptly secured the incident perimeter, implemented traffic control and diversion measures, and deployed safety protocols to prevent a secondary incident.

“As a proactive measure to mitigate the risk of fire outbreak, the fallen tanker and its immediate surroundings were blanketed with chemical foam by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, while the affected section of the road was temporarily closed to vehicular movement to ensure public safety.

“Through seamless coordination and professional execution, the transloading of the remaining PMS from the accidented tanker to an empty tanker was completed without incident. Subsequently, with the aid of a private tow truck, both the accidented tanker and the affected Ford pickup van were recovered off the roadway and taken to Ketu Police Station. The road has since been reopened and is now free for vehicular activities,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.

Neither loss of life nor injury was recorded in the incident.

Oke-Osanyintolu commended the swift response and synergy of all emergency responders whose professionalism averted what could have resulted in a major disaster.

He also reiterated the commitment of the Lagos State Government under the leadership of Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to the continuous strengthening of emergency preparedness, rapid response capacity, and protection of lives and property across the State.

The Permanent Secretary appealed to motorists, particularly drivers of heavy-duty vehicles and tankers conveying combustible products, to ensure their vehicles are in good mechanical condition, adhere strictly to traffic regulations, and exercise utmost caution on Lagos roads. Members of the public are encouraged to report any emergency or road incident promptly via the 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines for immediate intervention.

Five vehicles on Monday afternoon crashed on Otedola Bridge, inward Berger

According to a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, the agency promptly responded to the situation by deploying its rescue team to the scene of the accident.

“The LRT Tiger Squad stationed at C3 was dispatched at 1:18 p.m. upon receiving a distress call regarding the incident and arrived at the scene at 1:28 p.m. On arrival, first responders observed a multiple-vehicle crash involving five vehicles, including a truck laden with a generator, a containerised truck with registration number ENU 135ZG, a loaded trailer with an unknown registration number, a white Honda with registration number LSR 870BF, and a Lexus car with registration number KTU 682HX,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.

He explained that the accident was as a result of a containerised truck which developed a mechanical fault while in motion, “resulting in loss of control before ramming into three other vehicles, while another truck subsequently rammed into them from behind, leading to the multiple collision.”

It was gathered that the Agency’s LRT, alongside the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, and the Nigeria Police Force, promptly implemented traffic control and safety measures to prevent secondary incidents and ensure the safety of road users.

“Through a swift and coordinated rescue operation, all trapped victims were rescued alive. The victims received immediate medical attention at the scene from the Lagos Response Unit Paramedics before being transferred to the Trauma Centre for further treatment. Fortunately, no loss of life was recorded, Oke-Osanyintolu further stated.

Recovery operations are currently ongoing with the support of private towing trucks and a private crane to evacuate the affected vehicles from the roadway and restore free flow of traffic.

LASEMA PS commended the prompt intervention and professionalism of the Agency’s response team, LASTMA, the Nigeria Police, and private partners whose synergy ensured the preservation of lives.
He reiterated the commitment of the Lagos State Government to the protection of lives and property through continuous investment in emergency response capacity, modern equipment, and strategic decentralisation of response units for rapid intervention across the state.

The Permanent Secretary, therefore, urged motorists, particularly drivers of heavy-duty and articulated vehicles, to ensure regular maintenance of their vehicles, adhere strictly to road safety regulations, and exercise utmost caution while driving on major highways.

He also enjoined the members of the public to report all emergencies promptly through the 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines for swift intervention.