By Nurudeen Adebayo
The bustling city of Lagos was rattled on Wednesday by three separate emergencies involving two Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses, a 40-foot container truck, and a two-storey building fire.
The incidents, which occurred in various parts of the metropolis, caused multiple injuries and significant traffic disruptions.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incidents and provided details on the causes and responses to each situation.
The first emergency took place in Iyana Ipaja, where two BRT buses collided.
According to Nosa Okunbor, LASEMA’s Head of Public Affairs, the accident occurred when a BRT bus traveling from Igando to Iyana Ipaja swerved to avoid a commercial motorcyclist illegally using the BRT lane.
The bus collided with another BRT bus coming from the opposite direction. Although no lives were lost, several passengers sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
LASEMA deployed two tow trucks to clear the buses, restoring normal traffic flow in the area.
In the second incident, a 40-foot container fell off an articulated truck at Mile 12, completely blocking the road towards Ikorodu.
LASEMA’s investigation revealed that the truck driver lost control while reversing on a bridge, causing the container to tip over.
Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported. LASEMA, in collaboration with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), used heavy-duty equipment to remove the container and truck, allowing traffic to resume.
The third emergency occurred in the Alaba area, where a two-storey building was engulfed in flames. The fire reportedly started in the kitchen of a top-floor flat and quickly spread to other parts of the building.
One of the six flats was completely destroyed, but no casualties were recorded. The swift response by LASEMA’s Dolphin Response Team and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service prevented the fire from spreading further, saving the remaining flats from destruction.
LASEMA has since completed recovery operations at all three sites, and normalcy has been restored.
Nosa Okunbor, speaking on behalf of the agency, emphasized the importance of adhering to safety regulations to prevent such incidents in the future.
