The Agency has had its attention drawn to various allegations of our refusal to come to the aid of protesters and wish to state for the record that this is categorically untrue.
Our personnel and vehicles have been under attack and harassment since the protests started and we have struggled to maintain a presence while still keeping our personnel safe.
Our emergency response lines (112/767) developed a fault early hours of Monday morning and despite a number of fail-safe and temporary fixes, went into shutdown mode on Tuesday. To forestall any incident, we circulated alternative numbers including the direct line of the Director General/CEO.
We also wish to categorically debunk the allegation that there were any “instructions” not to respond to incidents. Our personnel were simply terrified by the angry mob that stormed the Lekki Dispatch Centre on Tuesday night.
Even as at Wednesday, we and the other emergency responders were unable to respond to fires due to our vehicles being attacked.
We appeal for calm and for your understanding as we attempt to play our part in keeping Lagosians safe.
We deeply sympathise with all those who have lost loved ones and fully acknowledge the rights of Nigerians to peacefully protest while making their demands known.
God bless Nigeria.
Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu
DG/CEO LASEMA