Ogun releases free ambulance hotline, offers 48-hour treatment

The ambulance. Photo credit: OGSG

The Ogun State Government has urged residents to save its dedicated emergency ambulance number, 08112000033, for immediate medical assistance during road accidents and other emergencies, assuring that the service is free.

The government also said accident victims conveyed through the ambulance service would be entitled to free treatment for the first 48 hours at designated government health facilities.

The appeal was contained in a public awareness message shared on the state government’s social media platforms on Saturday, urging residents to save the number and share it with family and friends.

Explaining why residents should use the dedicated state line instead of relying solely on the national emergency number, 112, the government said calls placed through the national line might need to be assessed and transferred to the appropriate state emergency response agency.

It noted that the process could sometimes cause delays, particularly when accurate location information was required.

“Until Nigeria fully implements an advanced, location-based emergency call-routing system, contacting Ogun State’s ambulance service directly can help reduce communication delays and connect callers with local responders more quickly,” the message stated.

The government emphasised the importance of reaching emergency responders promptly, saying, “In an emergency, every second counts.”

It further urged residents to save the number, 08112000033, and circulate it among their relatives and acquaintances, adding that “timely intervention can make the difference between life and death.”

The announcement comes a day after a road accident at Saapade, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, raised concerns about emergency response in the state.

Nollywood actor Kunle Afod had, in a video shared on Instagram, appealed to the government and emergency agencies for assistance, claiming that he had spent about 20 minutes at the accident scene without seeing an ambulance.

However, the state government disputed his account, saying an ambulance and Federal Road Safety Corps personnel arrived at the scene 10 minutes after the accident was reported.