The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) released statistics indicating 1,461 incidents within the state from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, with December alone accounting for 138 of these incidents. Mr. Nosa Okunbor, the Head of Public Affairs Unit at LASEMA, shared this information in a statement over the weekend in Lagos.
“Responding, rescuing, and ensuring disaster risk reduction is our commitment,” stated Mr. Okunbor, highlighting LASEMA’s essential role in addressing emergencies. From June 1, 2019, to December 31, 2023, the agency responded to a total of 6,442 incidents in alignment with its statutory duties.
Among the December 2023 incidents, articulated vehicles, including trucks and tankers, constituted a significant portion, accounting for 58 cases. These comprised 39 truck/tanker accidents and 12 breakdowns, along with two tankers falling and five getting stuck during this period.
The report detailed additional incidents, with 29 vehicular crashes, eight medical emergencies, 11 fire outbreaks, and a category encompassing 19 diverse events, such as bridge repairs, assaults, and miscellaneous cases.
Addressing structural safety, the report mentioned nine building collapse cases, comprising two complete building collapses, five partial collapses and two bridge collapses. Additionally, one oil spillage/leakage incident was recorded during this time.
Despite these occurrences, December 2023 saw no reported cases of explosions, marine incidents, train mishaps, or air crashes within Lagos State.
