How Hoodlums Frustrated Rescue Of Explosion Accident Victims

The State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has narrated a sordid details of how hoodlums prevented them rescuing victims of an early morning explosion in the Kara axis of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

The accident happened early this morning claiming two lives according to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), leaving several vehicles burnt.

A few minutes to noon, the aftermath of the accident was still evident in nearly roads with heavy vehicular traffic, and different tales of woe.

The traffic build-up stretched from ojota inwards Ojodu affecting even Ogba and environs-bound vehicles.

Director-General of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyitolu said though his men were mobilised to the venue of the accident but they were allegedly waylaid by some hoodlums.

 “The agency responded to the incident at 0105hrs this morning according to the stipulated emergency response plan.”

 “The operation commenced with the police protection until the group of assailants grew larger and caused significant damage to vehicles and threats to life of our personnel.

“The team has been forced to suspend the Recovery operation for safety reasons.

“It is of note that this attack is part of a very worrisome trend of first responders being attacked in the course of their duties.

“Lagosians are urged to refrain from endangering the lives of emergency responders and allow to carry out their lifesaving duties.”

The FRSC in its accounts by Corps Marshal, FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi described the incident as unfortunate, giving the number of casualty as two, and these were burnt beyond recognition.

The Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem In a statement said the crash involved a single Tanker fully ladened with fuel, citing loss of control by the driver following a tyre burst as the reason for the accident.

 “When our personnel got to the scene, they met teams of Lagos State Fire Service who advised our men against approaching the scene of the crash.

“The fire fighters said they were equally deployed to the scene for same reason but on arrival, they were chased back by some hoodlums, carrying dangerous weapons”.

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According to him, the crash investigation carried out by a team of FRSC personnel deployed for rescue operations, revealed that the driver lost control of the wheels as a result of mechanical deficiency (tyre blow out) making the tanker to fall on the expressway amidst a wild inferno.

The Eagle observed as the news of the accident spread, people were calling friends and family to avoid particular routes.