Reflections on emergency services, and our attitudes and preparedness towards handling emergencies
On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, a tragic accident occurred on Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue in Lagos involving a young man, Adetunji Opayele, popularly known as “TeeJay,” who was riding a power bike, and a woman, Biola Adams-Odutayo, who was driving a car. While the official report of the incident is unavailable, a petition on Change.org stated that Biola collided with Teejay as she attempted to merge onto the expressway from a restaurant along the road. According to the petition, Teejay had the right of way, but Biola allegedly failed to account for approaching traffic, resulting in the crash.
The impact rendered Teejay unconscious, though he was reportedly still alive. At the time of the accident, Biola was accompanied by a friend whose driver was following behind in another vehicle. Witnesses allegedly pleaded with Biola’s friend to transport Teejay to a hospital, but she refused, reportedly stating that she did not want bloodstains in her car.
For at least 30 minutes, Teejay, Biola, and her friend appeared to have remained at the accident scene while Biola was said to be on a lengthy phone call, refusing to assist. Some bystanders attempted to flag down vehicles for help, but none stopped until an Uber driver arrived. Teejay was taken to two hospitals that refused to admit him for undisclosed reasons. The group had to return to the accident scene, place the injured man in a minibus, and force Biola to accompany them to a third hospital, where Teejay was eventually pronounced dead. All of this transpired within just over an hour.
Emergencies occur worldwide, often leaving people in shock. From plane crashes to road accidents, collapsing buildings to gas explosions, and natural disasters to human-induced crises, tragedies are inevitable. Instead of merely praying against them, we must focus on preparedness and swift intervention. In the first quarter of this year alone, Nigeria has witnessed a building collapse in Lagos, a tanker explosion in Niger State, and multiple boat mishaps, including a recent one in Bayelsa.
According to a May 2024 report by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), road accidents ranked second in emergency cases with 507 incidents, including 471 vehicle crashes, 19 fallen containers, and 17 other related events. The truck/tanker category ranked first with 798 cases, comprising 519 truck accidents, 19 fallen containers, and 221 broken-down trucks. Other notable emergency categories included fire disasters, building collapses, and explosions.
In Lagos, LASEMA is responsible for emergency responses, with similar agencies operating in other states. The agency has dedicated emergency hotlines (112 and 767) and physical emergency response units across the state. However, in the case of Teejay’s accident, it remains unclear whether anyone called these emergency numbers. Did bystanders lack awareness, assume the numbers would not work, or attempt to call but receive no response?
The lack of immediate and informed intervention in emergencies is a persistent issue in Nigeria. Teejay’s case exemplifies how delays, inadequate response, and insufficient first-aid knowledge contribute to preventable deaths. If at least one bystander had first-aid training or awareness of Lagos’ emergency services, Teejay’s fate might have been different.
Despite the availability of emergency hotlines, many Nigerians either do not trust them or are unaware of their functionality. Widespread scepticism about the efficiency of emergency services discourages people from reaching out to the appropriate authorities. Consequently, accident victims rely on untrained individuals for assistance, often worsening their condition.
Beyond bystanders’ reluctance, another pressing concern is the reception of accident victims at hospitals. It is common for medical facilities to refuse treatment due to reasons such as financial concerns, lack of police reports, or fear of legal consequences. Some hospitals claim inadequate medical personnel or facilities, while others prioritize payment before providing urgent care, even in life-threatening situations. Even when some hospitals accept emergency patients, many people have complained about the poor attitude and service that health workers have displayed.
Under the Nigerian National Health Act of 2014, hospitals are required to provide emergency treatment without demanding prior payment. However, weak enforcement means that many facilities continue to turn away patients, leading to unnecessary fatalities. Until stricter regulations are imposed and hospitals are adequately funded to handle emergencies, many lives will continue to be lost due to delayed medical attention.
What can be done to ensure a more effective emergency response system?
Public Education on First Aid and Emergency Response
- First-aid training should be integrated into school curriculums, workplaces, and community programmes. This is a life skill that can be required at any time.
- Awareness campaigns must educate the public on the importance of calling emergency numbers and guide response to different types of crises. The relevant agencies can work with the media and influencers to spread this message.
Strengthening Emergency Services
- Government agencies must ensure that emergency hotlines are functional, with well-equipped response teams ready to act swiftly.
- Emergency response units should be expanded, with at least one unit in each local government area or within reasonable distances. These units must also be fully equipped to handle emergencies.
Improving Hospital Reception of Emergency Cases
- Authorities must strictly enforce laws requiring hospitals to treat emergency cases without upfront payment. Compassion and care must come first. The government must also find a way to support the hospitals by subsidising payments where necessary.
- Government and large private hospitals should establish dedicated emergency response teams available 24/7 or have direct connections with the government’s emergency response teams to shorten wait times and increase system efficiency.
- Medical personnel should undergo constant training programmes emphasizing urgency and compassionate care in handling accident victims.
Encouraging Citizen Involvement
- The government and private organizations should provide incentives for citizens in their employment to undergo first-aid and CPR training.
- Legal protections should be established to encourage bystanders to assist in emergencies without fear of legal repercussions. This is because there have been instances where people refused to help because they feared the possible repercussions. Nigeria currently lacks a formal “Good Samaritan Law,” but implementing one could encourage more people to offer help without hesitation.
Emergencies are inevitable, but their outcomes depend significantly on how prepared individuals and institutions are to handle them. The tragic case of Teejay highlights the urgent need for a more effective emergency response system, improved public knowledge, and greater accountability from hospitals. Until these issues are addressed, preventable deaths will continue, leaving families mourning loved ones who might have survived with timely intervention. This is the way I see things today.