The government said a passer-by reported the accident at the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) point in Ogere, where a state ambulance was stationed, at 12.18 pm, while the ambulance and FRSC personnel arrived at the scene at 12.28 pm.
It explained that the responders had to navigate the highway and cross to the opposite carriageway before reaching the accident scene.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kayode Akinmade, said the Ogun State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (OGSAES) responded promptly and assisted in saving lives.
According to the government, six ambulance points are located between OPIC and Ogunmakin along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. However, it said its emergency call centre did not receive any distress call from the area concerning the incident.
The government added that the police and the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) also participated in the rescue operation.
It said the victims were initially 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 expressed sympathy with the families of those affected by the accident and wished the injured victims a speedy recovery.
However, it accused Afod of politicising the incident and attempting to portray the Abiodun administration negatively through a video he shared from the accident scene.
The government alleged that the actor was a known supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, citing videos in which Afod campaigned for the opposition politician.
While acknowledging the actor’s right to support any political candidate of his choice, the government said such affiliations should not influence his comments on an incident involving accident victims and their families.
It further alleged that Afod 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 state government.
“It is unfortunate that a partisan Nollywood actor chose to purvey falsehood out of spite, making utter 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 incidents involving victims as condemnable, insisting that the Abiodun administration would not be distracted by what he characterised as politically motivated attempts to discredit its emergency response system.
The government also urged motorists to exercise caution and obey traffic rules and road safety regulations when using the highways.
It specifically warned against excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking and reckless driving, urging drivers to ensure their vehicles were roadworthy and comply with safety guidelines issued by the FRSC.
Reaffirming that road safety was a shared responsibility, the government called on all road users to prioritise the protection of human lives.
Akinmade also reiterated the administration’s commitment to protecting lives on the state’s highways, urging residents to report emergencies through its dedicated emergency line, 08112000033.
