LASEMA saves lives, clears traffic gridlocks, tackles emergencies in Lagos

Lives were saved and major road corridors reopened as the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) raced against time to tackle a series of emergencies across Lagos between Friday, September 25 and Sunday, September 27, 2026.

From a serious road crash at Otedola, to burning shops at Ojodu Berger and multiple incidents involving container trucks, LASEMA emergency team were deployed in a series of coordinated operations aimed at preventing loss of lives and further damage to property.

At Otedola, along the Mobil-Berger axis, an early-morning road crash left a male driver and a female passenger injured after a Ford Escape SUV reportedly rammed into a moving truck from behind.

The incident occurred at about 6:07am on Saturday.

According to LASEMA, its Tiger Squad from C3 arrived at the scene and immediately commenced emergency operations.

Paramedics from the agency, in collaboration with the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), administered first aid and provided immediate pre-hospital care to the victims before transporting them to the Trauma Centre for further medical attention.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Nigeria Police Force also participated in the operation.

The damaged SUV and truck were subsequently moved to Isheri Police Station for further action.

While the crash victims were being attended to, LASEMA teams were also responding to emergencies involving heavy-duty trucks on some of the state’s busy roads.

At Palm Avenue Bus Stop, inward Oye, a truck conveying a 40-foot container developed a mechanical fault at about 8:41am on Friday, leaving the vehicle immobile and obstructing traffic.

The Alpha Eagle Team stationed at Cappa was immediately deployed to the scene.

The team managed traffic and diverted motorists to prevent possible secondary accidents while waiting for the arrival of the agency’s Super Metro heavy-duty recovery equipment.

With the arrival of the equipment, the broken-down truck was recovered from the road and moved to a nearby lay-by, restoring traffic flow.

Later that evening, another containerised truck developed an electrical fault at Ojuwoye Bus Stop, inward Oshodi.

Following a distress call at about 7:24pm, the Alpha Eagle Team again swung into action, securing the scene and managing traffic.

The Super Metro was subsequently deployed to recover the truck and move it to a safe location.

Another containerised truck that became immobile as a result of mechanical failure at Olorunshogo Bus Stop, inward Cappa, was also recovered and relocated to a lay-by.

In the early hours of Sunday, a truck conveying interlocks also broke down at Ojuwoye and was recovered, clearing the affected road for motorists.

Fire threat

At Bakare Street, Ojodu Berger, LASEMA emergency personnel were confronted with another potentially dangerous situation when fire engulfed three of eight shops stocked with foodstuffs and frozen foods.

The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon and was allegedly triggered by an electrical surge following the restoration of power.

The LASEMA Tiger Team, working with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, moved swiftly to contain the fire.

Their intervention prevented the flames from spreading to the remaining shops before the fire was eventually extinguished.

No life was lost in the incident.

In another major operation on Sunday, emergency personnel responded to a dramatic container accident at Shoprite, inward Governor’s Road.

A 40-foot loaded container reportedly detached from the turntable of a Sinotruk truck and fell with its flatbed, completely obstructing a lane.

The response team immediately secured the scene and commenced traffic management to protect motorists and other road users.

A multi-agency recovery operation involving LASEMA’s Lowbed, a private tow truck, an empty Sinotruk for transloading and a private forklift was subsequently launched.

The Peak Milk products inside the container were successfully transloaded, while the affected truck head was towed to the LASTMA yard.

The fallen flatbed was then uprighted and recovered to a nearby lay-by, allowing the roadway to be cleared and reopened to traffic.

Beyond emergency incidents, LASEMA’s heavy-duty Hiab equipment was also deployed to Fagba Bus Stop, inward Iju, on Saturday evening to provide technical assistance for the safe hanging of a billboard.

The operation was successfully completed.

The agency said all the operations had been concluded, affected roads restored and its response teams safely returned to their bases.

The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, said the agency remained committed to protecting lives and property through prompt and professional emergency response.

He urged motorists and other road users to comply with safety regulations, ensure proper maintenance of their vehicles and exercise caution while driving.

He also reassured Lagos residents of the agency’s continued readiness to respond to emergencies across the state.