The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA)

  • Fire Disasters: Lagos saves N99bn worth of properties in one year

    Fire Disasters: Lagos saves N99bn worth of properties in one year

    …Builds Four New Fire Stations, Emergency Response Units  

     

    Lagos State Government on Thursday said about N99.7billion worth of properties were saved from fire incidences recorded in the State in the last one year.

    Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Oluseye Oladejo who disclosed this during the Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa to commemorate the second year in office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration, said the government stepped up its emergency apparatus to respond to fire disasters and other emergency situations.

    “I can give you some information about the value of the properties saved from fire disasters and that would give an estimate total of N99.72billion during the period under review and the estimated properties lost totals N16.62billion,” Oladejo said.

    Speaking further, the Commissioner said that in line with the State Government’s resolve to prevent and manage fire outbreaks across the State, Governor Ambode approved the creation of four new fire stations in the State.

    “As at now, Lagos State can now boast of 14 (Fourteen) Fire Stations across the State and all are equipped to combat fire outbreak”, he added.

    Oladejo said government had scaled up activities in Monitoring and Surveillance in the State and also intensified safety advocacy campaign in order to inform, educate and enlighten the public on the prevention and management of fire outbreaks.

    He said the Lagos Safety Commission is saddled with the responsibility of setting safety standard for business premises, event centres, churches and other public buildings.

    “They don’t have any no-go-areas to ensure that we put safety measures in place in the course of construction and the rest of it. That is the preventive part of our business. For rescue, that is the business of other agencies like Fire Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA),” he said.

    Oladejo, therefore, called on stakeholders to join hands with government in a bid to reduce emergency response time while also urging Lagosians to explore the limitless opportunities available on the platform of the State Command and Control Centre and continue to call the emergency toll free lines – 767 and 112 for distress calls.

    “You can be assured of prompt response from these numbers on a 24-hour basis”, he said.

    He said the government’s decision to replicate the Lagos Response Unit (LRU) in other locations in the State was to take the service closer to the people, noting that emergency rescue was a matter of response time and proximity of the service providers.

    “So that informed the position of the government to establish one at Lekki and we are also establishing one at Ikorodu Road where we used to Bode Benson Hotel and we are also establishing one at Badagry. When you look at the spread, you would see that our intention is to take the service closer to the people. In the years ahead, we also hope to put up more structures to attend to the needs of Lagosians”, Oladejo said.

    Responding to complaints as to why some members of the defunct Neighbourhood Watchers were not absorbed into the recently inaugurated Neighbourhood Safety Corps (NSC), the Commissioner explained that some were found wanting during the period of screening, adding that those who passed the screening have been employed into the Corps.

    “What the Governor said was that they should be given priority and they should be examined and put through the normal screening which other applicants would also go through and they are accessed based on their mental, physical and psychological fitness to fit into the new scheme.

    “You will agree with me that some of these people we are talking about are as old as 65 to 70 years and you just wonder what manner of security somebody like that would do and some were also found wanting in regards to their health status.

    “Those taken on board so far constitute about 40 percent of those who were in the    old neighbourhood watch, so definitely the Governor’s directive has been carried out in that regard,” he said.

    He allayed fears that some politicians might have hijacked the recruitment process, noting that Governor Ambode had appointed a retired Deputy Inspector General, Israel Ajao to head the NSC so as to forestall such occurrence.

     

  • Two die, another injured in Lagos building collapse 

    Two die, another injured in Lagos building collapse 

    Two artisans were Thursday killed and another injured after a building collapsed in Lekki, Lagos.

    The building, situated at Nicon Town Estate, Admiralty Way in Lekki Phase one, was said to be under construction when it caved in around 11:40am.

    The deceased identified as Tasiu and Abdulahi were said to have been crushed by the collapsed beams of the structure while they were mixing concretes for parapet.

    They were said to have been trapped under the rubble of the collapsed building and were extricated by rescue workers.

    According to sources, the collapse might have been caused by the vibration of the machine they used in mixing the concrete.

    According to the Lagos STATE Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), another artisan, Yakub sustained some injuries and was rushed to a private hospital.

    The agency said the scene has been condoned off, adding that appropriate investigation would be conducted.

    While emergency workers were still battling with the situation, a distress call about fire outbreak at Bedmate in Lekki and a fallen petrol tanker around Badagry, which was spilling its content were received.

  • Seven injured as vehicle loses control in Lagos

    Seven passengers have been reportedly injured as a commercial bus popularly known as “danfo” had a break failure along Agege-motor road.

    The accident occurred adjacent the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency office (LASEMA) at Cappa.

    Addressing the newsmen, the driver, Mr. lucky Idemudia said he tried to bring the vehicle to a halt in compliant to the traffic light but the break pulled out and the vehicle ran over the pavement.

    “I was driving on the middle lane, heading to Mushin when the traffic light turned red and in an attempt to stop the vehicle from colliding with other vehicles, I stepped on the break but the break pulled out and when I tried to bring the vehicle to a halt, it went over the pavement instead; it was a scary moment but we thank God that it was not too serious”.

    The ambulance responded promptly by taking the injured persons to the hospital. They are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

  • Luxurious bus accident: I had lost hope – survivor

    Luxurious bus accident: I had lost hope – survivor

    • I had lost hope, says survivor

    Three persons, including a driver, Sidi Abudu, 40, Friday lost their lives after an interstate luxurious bus in which they were travelling plunged into the Majidun River, Ikorodu.

    Fifty-nine people were on board the ill-fated bus which had taken off from Aba, Abia state for Lagos on Thursday evening.

    It had travelled all night stopping over in Benin, Edo State to pick more passengers.

    However, on the Majidun River bridge at Owode Onirin, about 30 minutes from its Mazamaza, Lagos, final destination the bus unexpectedly took a plunge into the depth of the water below.

    Time was about 3.30am

    Scene of the accident
    Scene of the accident

    Some of the passengers were able to swim their way out of danger immediately while officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) who raced to the scene succeeded in rescuing the rest, save the three that died.

    Dead were Abudu, the conductor of the bus and a female passenger.

    The accident sparked a gridlock on the road as motorists and commuters set out to go about their businesses.

    LASEMA attributed the accident to over-speeding.

    General Manger of the organisation, Mr Adesina Tiamiyu said: “The bus skidded off its track while on high speed and plunged into the canal.

    “Of the 59 passengers on board, 23 persons sustained injuries. Some of them were treated on the spot by paramedics from LASAMBUS, but nine persons were taken to the Lagos State Trauma Centre, Toll Gate, for further treatment.

    “Then three victims including two adult males and a female were recovered dead from the water. The bus was also recovered with the help of a crane.

    “The rescue team handed over the dead bodies, their belongings and the recovered bus to policemen at Owode Division.

    “Proper investigation would be conducted on the incident. Motorists are advised to be safety conscious and avoid excessive speeding while driving especially when embarking on night journeys.”

  • Synagogue stampede: Police, NEMA, LASEMA debunk report

    Synagogue stampede: Police, NEMA, LASEMA debunk report

    Report of a stampede at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) that allegedly claimed three lives have been dismissed by the Police, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

    Similarly, the church denied the report, insisting that they have watched their video recordings of Prophet Temitope Joshua’s outing during Saturday’s special healing service and nothing of such was seen.

    One of the spokespersons for the church who refused to be named said: “It’s just a rumour. I can tell you categorically that nothing of such happened here. Funny enough, I was even in church on that said Saturday when they claimed it happened. All the same, when I got the call from a journalist, I still consulted all the media team.

    “You can make your findings. Nothing like that happened. You know the media team follows the prophet around with a video and still camera. How come none of the cameras picked up the stampede?”

    However, some worshippers at the church and taxi drivers who carried passengers outside the premises told The Nation that there was an actual stampede.

    According to a source, it happened outside the church premises around 4am, when Prophet Joshua came out.

    He said: “What happened was that the man of God came outside the church and as he was walking, people tried to touch him.  Alot of people were outside including sick people and they were running over themselves trying to touch him. That was when some people trampled on others.”

    A taxi driver who refused to be named said he was carrying passengers to and fro the place, adding that he could not really ascertain if those trampled upon died.

    He said: “It was early in the morning. I usually go there to carry passengers on their special healing service because so many people come from different parts of the world.

    “People outside were forcing their way in and in the process, pushing one another. I don’t really know if anybody died but I know that some people were trampled upon.”

    Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni said he was unaware of any stampede at the church, wondering how something like that would happen without the police knowing.

  • Seven injured in multiple accidents

    Seven injured in multiple accidents

    At least seven persons on Tuesday sustained serious injuries following multiple accidents that occurred in the Agege area of Lagos State.

    The accidents which occurred at about 6am and 4pm around Falgbems and Dopemu respectively, were said to have been caused by the recklessness of commercial bus drivers.

    While three persons sustained serious injuries at Falgbems where  an articulated truck laden with a container colluded with three commercial buses, four others were said to have been injured at Dopemu.

    It was gathered that the three commercial buses marked BDG 721 XJ, GGE 759 XN and KJA 25 XH which were involved in the morning accident had stopped on the road abruptly, picking passengers.

    The Nation gathered that the truck with registration number AKD279XR hit one of the buses and in the cause of averting disaster, rammed into the other two.

    It was learnt that road users rescued one of the injured victims and rushed the person to the hospital before the arrival of emergency workers.

    The two others who were rescued by officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency  (LASEMA) and the police were said to have been taken to the Trauma centre by the state Ambulance service for medical attention.

    Confirming the accident, the General Manager LASEMA, Michael Akindele said no life was lost.

    He warned motorists to avoid reckless driving and over speeding, stressing that defaulters will be arrested by relevant agencies and prosecuted.

     

     

  • Three die as container falls on bus in Lagos

    Three die as container falls on bus in Lagos

    Three persons have been confirmed dead and several two others injured after a container fell on a commercial bus in Lagos.

    The incident occurred Wednesday morning at Alakija bus stop on the busy Badagry expressway.

    It was gathered that a 40 feet container careying truck moving inward Badagry marked KRD526XP rammed into a commercial bus marked EPE972XH with five occupants.

    The Nation learnt that the collision prompted the container to fall on the bus, killing three persons on the spot.

    Two others who were trapped under the container were said to have sustained serious injuries and rushed to the hospital by emergency responders.

    Confirming the incident, the General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency  (LASEMA) said recovery operations were still ongoing.

     

     

  • Three die, 14 Injured in another Lagos-Ibadan expressway accident 

    Three die, 14 Injured in another Lagos-Ibadan expressway accident 

    Three persons were Thursday confirmed dead and 14 others injured after a truck rammed into commercial bus with 17 occupants.

    The accident occurred at about 5:30am around Berger on the Busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway, less than 24 hours after multiple crashes claimed no fewer than eight lives on the Ogun State axis of the road.

    It was gathered that an unregistered truck lost control and rammed into the commercial bus marked KRD326XG killing two males and a female on the spot.

    The Nation gathered that the bus somersaulted after it was hit by the truck and veered off its lane.
    While the three persons who died were trapped under the bus, others who made it out early sustained varying injuries.

    It was learnt that it took the combined efforts of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the State Fire Service, Police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps  (NSCDC) officials to extricate the bodies of the deceased underneath the vehicle.

    Confirming the accident, General Manager LASEMA, Michael Akindele said it was caused by the recklessness of the truck driver.

    He stated that the agency received a distress call at about 5:36am on the accident, adding that all the injured were taken to the Accident and Emergency unit.

    He said: “We received a distress call through the emergency toll lines at about 5:36am. This prompted immediate activation of the ERT of LASEMA and other emergency responders which include Lagos State Ambulance Services, Lagos State Fire Service, Nigeria Police, LASTMA and the FRSC to the scene of accident.

    “Preliminary investigation carried out by the ERT at the scene of the incident revealed that the incident was as a result of reckless driving of the truck driver.

    “The truck collided with the LT bus, causing it to veer off the road leading to the accident. Nine passengers sustained serious injuries, while five others sustained minor injuries and were immediately rushed down to the trauma center by FRSC and LASAMBUS. The truck driver was taken to the Trauma center as a result of shock.

    “Three passengers were also trapped dead and were extricated by the LASEMA Emergency Response Team with the use of the light duty equipment. 17 passengers were said to be on board the bus.

    “Motorist should avoid reckless driving and also ensure that they drive within the appropriate speed limit to prevent road traffic accident in the State.”

  • One dies, 28 others rescued as boat capsises in Lagos

    One dies, 28 others rescued as boat capsises in Lagos

    One person was confirmed dead after an over loaded passenger boat capsized in Lagos.

    The incident occurred at about 10am behind Dangote Company, Ebutte Ikorodu.

    It was gathered that instead of 21 passengers, the boat identified as HMS had 28 passengers and a crew member.

    The Nation also gathered that the Victoria Island bound boat was over speeding and rammed into logs of wood.

    It was learnt that the quick intervention of rescue operatives from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency  (LASEMA); Lagos State Water Ways Authority; Lagos State Ambulance service  (LASAMBUS) and the Nigeria Police minimised the casualty.

    Confirming the mishap, General Manager LASEMA, Michael Akindele said investigations will be conducted on the matter.

    He warned boat operators to shun over speeding, adding that they should comply with safety rules.

  • Dead toll rises to 34 in Lekki building collapse

    Dead toll rises to 34 in Lekki building collapse

    • Lagos may pull down nearby defective structures

    Rescue workers on Wednesday retrieved 16 more bodies from the building collapse site in Ikate, Lekki bringing the dead toll to 34 as at 4pm.

    This is just as many persons, bodies were suspected to still be trapped underneath the rubble of the five-storey building that caved in at the wee hours of Tuesday.

    Meanwhile, officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) have released the corpse of one Aba Ali to his relatives for burial after proper documentation.

    Ali’s body was handed over to one Gaji Mohammed who said the family was proceeding to Marecas cemetery to bury him in line with Islamic rites.

    Stench from the retrieved bodies rent the air, an indication that they were already decomposing.

    Meanwhile, residents and relatives of victims have punctured claims by the developer, Lekki Gardens that construction work has been suspended since January.

    They described as complete falsehood, the company’s claim that work was suspended after the defect in the structure was discovered, insisted that more workers were brought in on Monday because they were about to begin casting (concrete work).

    Similarly, a staff with Lekki Gardens, Vincent Paul disclosed that work was done in the building last week.

    He said: “We have never stopped work on the site. I have worked with the Lekki Garden for four years. I know how they complete their work. I am still looking for my friend Sunday John, 29.

    “I saw him last on Monday. He told me he had work to do here. But I told him I had other things to attend to. I have called his mobile line but it hasn’t been reachable. I have checked all the bodies and I didn’t see him. He is married with a child but his family is based in Benue State.”

    Secretary, Hausa Community in Eti-Osa LGA, Auwalu Hassan, said 25 northerners were involved in the mishap, adding that six bodies have been retrieved.

    He identified some of the victims as Johson, Yohana, Maria with four children, Yakub, John, Elias and Yohana), Isiak, saidu, Gwoni, Buhari, Abba and Mustapha.

    An artisan who miraculously escaped the disaster said he left the building on Monday night out of anger.

    “When I heard that the site engineer was not coming to pay our N10, 000 weekly wages and N500 daily feeding allowance, I left the site angrily because the engineer had defaulted for two weeks. Although he promised to pay on Tuesday but contacting him on phone was futile.

    I called my elder brother, Alli Abbah, to know if he (engineer) had fulfilled his promise. But the response from my brother was that the building had caved in. He further said that he was trapped under the rubble and that he had sustained severe injury on his right thigh. I lost my friend to the collapse. It is a painful incident.”

    At the Island General Hospital were some of the rescued survivors were rushed to, it was gathered that one of them died few seconds after arrival the hospital and was moved to the mortuary.

    The Nation gathered that the victim might have died because his friends gave him water after he pleaded with them that he was thirsty.

    Sources at the hospital said 13 persons were brought in for treatment, adding that 12 of them were at the Emergency wards, while one passed on.

    They disclosed that two of the victims were wheeled to the X-ray section, complaining about the inadequacies of the wheelchairs.

    He said: “One of the rescued workers of the collapsed building was wheeled to the X-ray centre few minutes ago.

    “The facility used in wheeling the patients was not effective because the wheelers spend more time struggling to wheel the patients to the next ward where they are expected to receive treatment.”

    Confirming the death toll, LASEMA’s General Manager, Michael Akindele and the Coordinator, National Emergency management Agency (NEMA) South-West, Yakubu Sulaimon said that though the rescue operation was yet to be completed but additional 16 bodies have been recovered from the site, increasing the death toll to 34.

    “Our aim was to rescue more persons than recovery of bodies.18 persons were recovered few hours after the building caved in on Tuesday.

    “We have about three excavators working to rescue whoever is left under the rubbles. We are working to ensure that the bodies are not mutilated during the rescue operation. The rescue operation has reached over 70 percent.

    “For Muslims who were agitating for the release of their relatives’ bodies, we are working on proper documentation on how to release the bodies to them. They will need to present police report, Lagos state government official report and a means of identification,” said Akindele.

    Akindele also disclosed that the state government might pull down down a nearby five-storey building still under construction to avoid a similar situation.

    The building being constructed by same company which has been sealed, already has visible cracks all over it.

    At the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Safety Commission and the State Building Control Agency, LASBCA have sealed over 20 buildings in the community.