Lagos Residents Lament Slow Ambulance Response After Ikoyi Crash Injures Three

A delayed emergency response following a serious accident on Kingsway Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, has triggered widespread concern over the efficiency of ambulance services in the state.

The early Tuesday morning crash involved three young women, two of whom reportedly sustained severe head injuries. According to eyewitness Agboola Kotun, the victims were left waiting for an ambulance for over 90 minutes before he personally transported them to the General Hospital in Lagos using his private vehicle.

In a Facebook post that included images from the scene, Kotun expressed frustration over the long delay, noting that he and a paramedic had administered first aid while waiting for emergency responders.

“After one and a half hours without any ambulance showing up, I had no choice but to take them in my own car,” he wrote.

One of the victims’ husbands, an American-trained urologist who recently relocated to Lagos, reportedly arrived at the hospital from Arepo in under 30 minutes — a contrast that further highlighted the state’s slow emergency response.

The incident has drawn criticism from Lagos residents online, many of whom called for urgent reforms in the state’s health emergency infrastructure.

Reactions poured in on Facebook, with users praising Kotun’s swift action and calling for accountability. Omoba Surakat Olabode Oteshade-Eshilokun wrote, “Thank you for saving their lives. May God reward you.”

Another user, Mojisola Allison, added, “Well done, Doctor. Lagos State health sector seriously needs help.”

Afilaka Bidemi, also commenting, urged journalist Babajide Kolade-Otitoju to investigate the issue, saying, “We’ve raised our voices before. We need ambulances back on the roads.”

The incident has renewed public concern over emergency preparedness in Nigeria’s commercial capital and called into question the effectiveness of current systems meant to respond to medical emergencies.