The Ogun State Government has announced a free emergency ambulance service for residents, alongside complimentary medical treatment for accident victims during their first 48 hours at designated public hospitals.

The government urged residents to save its dedicated emergency number, 08112000033, and use it to request immediate medical assistance during road accidents and other emergencies.

The announcement was made through a public awareness message shared on the state government’s social media platforms on Saturday, encouraging residents to distribute the contact among family members and friends.

The government explained that contacting the state ambulance service directly could help reduce delays associated with calls to the national emergency number, 112.

According to the government, calls made through the national line may require additional assessment and transfer to the appropriate state emergency agency, potentially slowing down the response process.

It noted that until Nigeria establishes a more advanced emergency call system capable of automatically identifying callers’ locations and directing requests to the nearest responders, contacting the state service directly would provide a quicker alternative.

The government stressed that prompt access to emergency assistance could be critical in saving lives, particularly during road accidents.

The announcement comes amid public concerns over emergency response following a crash at Saapade along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Nollywood actor Kunle Afod had earlier raised concerns about the response to the accident in a video posted on Instagram, claiming he waited for about 20 minutes at the scene without seeing an ambulance.

However, the Ogun State Government rejected his account, maintaining that an ambulance and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps arrived 10 minutes after the incident was reported.

The government urged residents to keep the emergency contact readily available to ensure quicker access to medical assistance when needed.