Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
The Ogun State Government has disputed claims by Nollywood actor Kunle Afod that emergency responders failed to arrive promptly at the scene of a road accident along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, saying ambulance and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) personnel reached the location within 10 minutes.
The government’s response followed a video shared by Afod on social media on Friday, November 6, 2026, in which the actor expressed concern over what he described as the absence of emergency services at the accident scene around Saapade in Ogun State.
Afod had appealed to the state government, the FRSC and other emergency agencies to intervene, claiming that he had spent approximately 20 minutes at the scene without seeing an ambulance or rescue personnel attending to the injured victims.
The disagreement has drawn attention to emergency response arrangements along one of southwestern Nigeria’s busiest transport corridors.
Details of the accident
According to an accident report issued by the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), the crash involved a Mazda commercial bus with registration number AKD 52 XY, which was carrying 18 occupants.
The accident occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. while the vehicle was travelling towards Lagos through the Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The report stated that a tyre burst while the bus was moving, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle subsequently overturned before hitting a concrete road barrier.
Eyewitness accounts cited in the TRACE report also identified the tyre burst as the immediate cause of the accident.
The barrier reportedly prevented the bus from plunging into a deep ditch, potentially averting more serious consequences.
13 people injured, no deaths recorded
TRACE reported that 13 people sustained injuries in the accident. The victims comprised two men, eight women and three children.
The injured passengers were evacuated to three different medical facilities for treatment.
According to the agency’s report:
- One victim was taken to Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu.
- Nine victims were taken to Divine Hospital in Ogere.
- Three victims were taken to Isara General Hospital.
During a follow-up visit to Isara General Hospital later that day, TRACE officials reportedly confirmed that four of the injured victims had received treatment and were discharged at their request.
The agency did not report any deaths arising from the incident.
What TRACE said about the rescue operation
The agency maintained that its personnel, alongside FRSC officials, responded to the accident and carried out the evacuation of the injured passengers.
A report published by Punch on Friday quoted the TRACE accident report as stating that the rescue team reached the scene at 12:48 p.m.
This timing is important because the reported accident occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. Although the government has described the response as taking about 10 minutes, the published timestamps indicate an interval of approximately 18 minutes.
The difference between the actor’s account and the government’s explanation has therefore placed the timing and effectiveness of the emergency response under public scrutiny.
TRACE also said the rescue operation did not disrupt traffic on the expressway. Its personnel and other emergency responders worked to restore normal traffic movement while the damaged bus was subsequently towed to the Papa Oscar holding facility for investigation.
Why the disagreement matters
The incident has renewed attention on emergency medical response along Nigeria’s major highways.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is an important transport route connecting Lagos with Ogun State, Oyo State and other parts of southwestern Nigeria. Its heavy movement of commercial vehicles, private cars and passenger buses makes effective emergency response particularly important.
Road accidents can leave victims with injuries requiring immediate medical attention. The availability of ambulances, trained rescue personnel and properly coordinated emergency services can therefore make a significant difference in the aftermath of a crash.
Although the government has defended the response by pointing to the deployment of TRACE and FRSC personnel, Afod’s complaint highlights the importance of communication between emergency agencies and people witnessing accidents.
It also raises a broader question about how quickly emergency services can be reached and how members of the public can obtain reliable assistance when accidents occur.
What happens next?
The immediate priority remains the recovery of the injured passengers and the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
TRACE has confirmed that the bus was moved to its holding facility for investigation. The available report also provides details of the evacuation and hospital treatment of the injured passengers.
However, the difference between the reported emergency response times remains an important issue for public clarification.
The incident serves as a reminder that effective road safety management involves more than preventing accidents. It also requires reliable emergency communication, rapid rescue operations and access to medical facilities for people injured on the road.
For motorists travelling along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the incident further underscores the importance of vehicle maintenance, particularly tyre inspection, and adherence to safe driving practices.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) – Accident report, as published by Punch Newspapers.
- Punch Newspapers – 13 Injured in Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Crash, November 6, 2026.
- Punch Newspapers – Kunle Afod Laments Absence of Ambulance After Ogun Road Crash, November 6, 2026.
