The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has reaffirmed its operational readiness after successfully responding to nine emergency incidents across Lagos within six days.
The agency’s Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, noting that the swift interventions demonstrated LASEMA’s round-the-clock preparedness in line with the THEMES+ Agenda of Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
According to him, the incidents, recorded between April 20 and April 25, ranged from fire outbreaks and road crashes to rescue and recovery operations, highlighting the increasing complexity of emergencies in the state.
One of the major incidents involved a fire outbreak at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency office in Oshodi on April 20. The fire, triggered by sparks from welding activities on containers, was swiftly contained through a joint response involving LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire Service and the Nigeria Police Force. No casualties were recorded, and adjoining properties were protected from damage.
On April 22, emergency responders averted what could have been a major disaster when a fully loaded Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) tanker caught fire along Majidun Road. Oke-Osanyintolu explained that the fire was confined to the truck’s cab and extinguished before it could spread to the tanker compartment.
Similarly, a waste fire involving scrap electrical materials at Owode Onirin Market on April 23 was promptly contained, preventing damage to nearby structures and averting potential escalation.
In another critical intervention, LASEMA operatives rescued a man struck by a moving train at Cappa Bus Stop on April 24. The victim was stabilised at the scene by paramedics before being transported to a trauma centre for advanced medical care.
The same day, the agency secured a leaking 45,000-litre fuel tanker along Ifako-Ogudu Road after it developed a mechanical fault, preventing a possible fire outbreak or explosion.
However, Oke-Osanyintolu confirmed that not all incidents ended without casualties. A fatal road accident occurred on April 25 on the Third Mainland Bridge involving a Honda car and a stationary PSP truck. Two occupants of the car were trapped and later confirmed dead. Their remains were recovered and handed over to the police, while the accident scene was cleared to avoid secondary crashes.
Search efforts are also ongoing for a man who reportedly jumped into the lagoon at Admiralty Way, Lekki. LASEMA’s marine unit, working with the Lagos State Waterways Authority and local divers, continues to comb the area.
In a separate tragic incident, a four-year-old girl lost her life after falling into an uncovered well in Bariga. The child’s body was recovered during a joint operation with the Lagos State Fire Service. The LASEMA boss extended condolences to the bereaved family and urged residents to secure open wells and other hazardous structures.
He commended emergency responders for their professionalism and strong inter-agency collaboration, stressing that coordinated efforts remain vital in managing disasters effectively.
Oke-Osanyintolu reiterated the Lagos State Government’s commitment to proactive disaster management but emphasised the importance of prevention.
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“While we remain committed to prompt emergency response, prevention is key. Residents should insure lives and property, avoid reckless driving, ensure proper waste disposal and secure hazardous structures,” he said.
He also urged the public to promptly report emergencies through the designated hotlines, 767 or 112.
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