Ogun State says ambulance reached Saapade crash within ten minutes, refutes actor’s claim

The Ogun State Government has stated that its ambulance and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) personnel were on the scene of the Saapade accident on the Lagos‑Ibadan Expressway ten minutes after the crash was reported, contradicting Nollywood actor Kunle Afod’s allegation that emergency services took about twenty minutes to arrive. The incident occurred at 12:18 pm on Saturday, when a passerby alerted the FRSC point in Ogere, where a state ambulance is stationed. According to the official statement, the ambulance and FRSC team reached the location at 12:28 pm.

The government’s response was issued by Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun. In the statement, Akinmade said the Ogun State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (OGSAES) “responded promptly and helped save lives.” He explained that responders had to deal with the expressway and turn onto the opposite carriageway to access the crash site at Saapade, which accounted for the short travel time. The statement also noted that six ambulance points are positioned between OPIC and Ogunmakin along the Lagos‑Ibadan corridor, and that the emergency call centre received no distress call from the axis concerning the incident.

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Police and the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) joined the rescue effort, according to the release. Victims with less severe injuries were taken to Victory Hospital in Ogere, a private facility close to the crash site. Those with more serious wounds were transported by the state ambulance to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) in Sagamu. The government expressed sympathy for the families of the injured and wished the victims a speedy recovery.

The statement accused Afod of politicising the tragedy. It highlighted that the actor is a known supporter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate Ladi Adebutu in Ogun State, citing videos of his recent campaign activities. While acknowledging his right to support any candidate, the government warned against allowing partisan motives to shape comments on incidents involving victims and their families. Akinmade described Afod’s video as an attempt to generate negative publicity for the Abiodun administration, calling it “falsehood out of spite.”

“Contrary to the wild, patently false claims by Mr Kunle Afod intended to incite violence against the Ogun State Government, the Ogun State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System responded swiftly to the accident in question,” the statement read. It added that playing politics with accident victims was “condemnable” and that the administration would not be distracted by politically motivated attempts to discredit its emergency response system.

Beyond the immediate response, the government used the episode to reiterate its road safety message. Motorists were urged to observe traffic rules, avoid excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking, and reckless driving. Drivers were also reminded to keep their vehicles roadworthy and to follow guidelines issued by the Federal Road Safety Corps. The statement emphasized that road safety is a shared responsibility and called on all road users to prioritise the protection of human lives.

Akinmade also reminded residents to report emergencies through the dedicated state emergency line, 08112000033. He clarified that the state does not currently operate the national emergency number 112, as the Nigerian Communications Commission has yet to activate the service in Ogun State despite ongoing efforts.

The controversy surrounding the Saapade crash reflects the broader tension between political actors and government agencies in the state. While the government maintains that its emergency services acted within minutes, Afod’s video, which portrayed a longer wait, has sparked debate on the adequacy of response times on major highways. The expressway, a critical link between Lagos and Ibadan, sees high traffic volumes daily, making rapid medical intervention essential for accident victims.

Observers note that the presence of six ambulance points along the Lagos‑Ibadan stretch is intended to reduce response times, yet the effectiveness of these stations depends on timely reporting and clear communication channels. The statement’s claim that no distress call was logged from the axis raises questions about how the initial alert was generated and whether the system’s call‑centre protocols are fully operational.

As the injured continue to receive treatment at Victory Hospital and OOUTH, the Ogun State Government says it will monitor the situation closely and ensure that any lessons learned are incorporated into future emergency response planning. No further comment has been made by Kunle Afod or his representatives regarding the government’s rebuttal.