The Ogun State Government has accused Nollywood actor Kunle Afod of spreading false information about the emergency response to a recent accident at Saapade, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, insisting that its ambulance service and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) personnel arrived at the scene 10 minutes after the incident was reported
The government was reacting to a video circulated by Afod in which the actor alleged that accident victims were left without emergency assistance for about 20 minutes.
However, in a statement issued on Saturday by the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kayode Akinmade, the government disputed the actor’s account, saying emergency responders were alerted at 12:18 p.m. and arrived at the scene at 12:28 p.m.
According to the statement, a passerby reported the accident at the FRSC point in Ogere, where a state ambulance was stationed, prompting an immediate response from emergency personnel.
The government explained that the ambulance and FRSC officials had to navigate the expressway and cross over to the opposite carriageway to reach the accident scene at Saapade.
It maintained that the Ogun State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (OGSAES) responded promptly and played a crucial role in rescuing victims.
The statement also disclosed that six ambulance points had been established between OPIC and Ogunmakin along the expressway, adding that the state’s emergency call centre did not receive any distress call from the area concerning the accident.
The Nigeria Police and the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) were also said to have participated in the rescue operation.
The government said victims were initially taken to Victory Hospital, Ogere, while those with more serious injuries were transported by the state ambulance to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu.
While expressing sympathy with the families of those affected and wishing the injured a speedy recovery, the government accused Afod of using the tragedy to score political points and damage the image of the Abiodun administration.
Akinmade alleged that the actor was a supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state, Ladi Adebutu, and had recently produced a campaign video for the opposition politician.
The government said Afod was entitled to support any political party or candidate but should not allow his political leanings to influence his account of an incident involving injured people.
Describing the actor’s allegations as false and politically motivated, the government said his comments were capable of misleading the public about the state’s emergency response operations.
“It is unfortunate that a partisan Nollywood actor chose to peddle falsehood out of spite, making a mockery of the respected industry he represents.
“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 (OGSAES) responded swiftly to the accident in question,” the statement said.
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