The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) responded to a number of emergencies across the state between Friday and Sunday, including road crashes, truck breakdowns, a fire outbreak and a fallen container.
The agency also deployed specialised equipment to recover disabled vehicles, clear affected roads and support other emergency operations during the period.
The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, disclosed this in a statement, saying emergency response personnel, paramedics and heavy-duty equipment were deployed to various locations.
One of the incidents occurred at Palm Avenue Bus Stop, inward Oye, on Friday morning, after a containerised truck carrying a 40ft container developed a mechanical fault and obstructed traffic.
The agency said its Eagle Team arrived after receiving a distress call at 8:41am and immediately began traffic management operations.
‘The Eagle Team professionally managed traffic and diverted oncoming vehicles to prevent secondary incidents while awaiting the Agency’s heavy-duty equipment,’ the statement said.
LASEMA said its Super Metro later arrived at the scene and was used to recover the truck and move it to a nearby lay-by, allowing traffic to resume normally.
Another containerised truck became stranded at Olorunshogo Bus Stop, inward Cappa, on Friday evening following a mechanical fault.
‘The vehicle was recovered with the aid of the Super Metro and relocated to a layby,’ the agency said.
Later that day, the Alpha Eagle Team was called to Ojuwoye Bus Stop, inward Oshodi, following a report received at 7:24pm about another containerised truck.
The vehicle had developed an electrical fault, prompting emergency personnel to secure the area and control traffic pending its recovery.
‘With the aid of the Super Metro, the truck was recovered and moved to a safe location, ensuring unhindered vehicular movement along the corridor,’ the statement said.
On Saturday morning, LASEMA’s Tiger Squad from C3 responded to a road crash at Otedola, Mobil inward Berger.
The accident, which occurred at about 6:07am, involved a Ford Escape SUV and a moving truck. The agency said the SUV had collided with the rear of the truck.
The male driver and female passenger in the SUV sustained injuries.
‘The Agency’s Paramedics, in collaboration with LASAMBUS, promptly administered first aid and provided immediate pre-hospital care before transporting the casualties to the Trauma Centre for further medical treatment,’ the statement said.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASTMA and the Nigeria Police Force also participated in the response. The vehicles involved were later moved to Isheri Police Station for further action.
Another truck, this time carrying interlocking stones, reportedly broke down at Ojuwoye in the early hours of Sunday. LASEMA said the vehicle was subsequently recovered.
The agency also dealt with a fire outbreak at Bakare Street, Ojodu Berger, on Sunday.
According to LASEMA, three of eight shops containing foodstuffs and frozen foods were affected. The agency said the fire was suspected to have resulted from an electrical surge after electricity was restored.
‘The swift and professional intervention of the Tiger Squad and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service successfully contained the inferno, prevented it from spreading to other shops, and completely extinguished the fire,’ the statement said.
No death was recorded in the incident.
Another major operation took place at Shoprite, inward Governor’s Road, where a loaded 40ft container fell after reportedly detaching from the turntable of a Sinotruk truck.
The container and flatbed completely obstructed a lane, leading LASEMA personnel to secure the area and introduce traffic management measures.
‘The response team immediately secured the scene and implemented traffic management measures,’ the statement said.
A multi-agency recovery operation was subsequently launched, involving LASEMA’s Lowbed, a private tow truck, an empty Sinotruk for transloading and a private forklift.
‘The Peak Milk products contained therein were successfully transloaded, the affected truck head was towed to the LASTMA yard and the flatbed was uprighted and recovered to a nearby layby,’ the agency said.
The road was subsequently cleared and reopened to traffic.
Beyond emergency incidents, LASEMA also provided technical assistance for the installation of a billboard at Fagba Bus Stop, inward Iju, on Saturday evening.
The agency said its Hiab equipment was used for the operation, which was completed successfully.
Giving an overall assessment of the weekend operations, Oke-Osanyintolu said all the affected roads had been restored and the response personnel had returned safely.
‘All operations have been concluded, affected roadways have been restored and response teams have returned to base in good condition,’ he said.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to providing emergency services across Lagos.
‘The Agency reassures Lagosians of its continued readiness for prompt and professional emergency response at all times,’ he said.
Oke-Osanyintolu also urged motorists and other road users to observe safety rules, ensure their vehicles were properly maintained and exercise caution on the roads.