The Ogun State Government has disputed Nollywood actor Kunle Afod’s claim that emergency responders failed to arrive for about 20 minutes after a road accident at Saapade, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, insisting that its ambulance and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) personnel reached the scene within 10 minutes of being alerted.

The government said a passerby reported the accident at the FRSC point in Ogere, where a state ambulance was stationed, at 12:18 p.m., while the ambulance and FRSC personnel arrived at the scene at 12:28 p.m.

It explained that the emergency responders had to navigate the road and turn to the opposite carriageway to reach the accident scene at Saapade.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kayode Akinmade, the government said the Ogun State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (OGSAES) responded promptly and helped save lives.

It disclosed that six ambulance points were located between OPIC and Ogunmakin along the expressway, adding that its emergency call centre did not receive any distress call from the axis concerning the incident.

The government also said the Nigeria Police and the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) participated in the rescue operation.

According to the statement, victims were taken to Victory Hospital, Ogere, a nearby private medical facility, while those with more serious injuries were transported by the state ambulance to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu.

The government commiserated with the families of those affected and wished the injured victims a speedy recovery.

However, it accused Afod of politicising the accident and attempting to portray the Abiodun administration negatively through his video of the scene.

The government alleged that the actor was a known supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, citing videos of him campaigning for the opposition politician.

While acknowledging Afod’s right to support any political candidate, the government said partisan considerations should not influence comments on an incident involving injured victims and their families.

It further claimed that the actor had produced a campaign video for Adebutu days before the accident and described his latest video as an attempt to generate negative publicity for the Abiodun administration.

“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.

Akinmade described the politicisation of road accident victims as condemnable, adding that the administration would not be distracted by what he called politically motivated attempts to discredit its emergency response system.

The government also urged motorists to exercise caution and observe traffic rules and road safety regulations, particularly on highways.

It advised drivers to avoid excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking and reckless driving, while ensuring that their vehicles were roadworthy and complied with Federal Road Safety Corps guidelines.

The government maintained that road safety was a shared responsibility and called on all road users to prioritise the protection of human lives.