Inside Edo
Edo’s lack of emergency ambulance services forces Governor Okpebholo into rescue role on Benin–Auchi expressway
Written By: Emmanuel Ikhenebome
30 Aug 2025 05:42 PM
Benin, Edo – A tragic motor accident along the Benin–Auchi Road exposed the glaring absence of a functional emergency ambulance service in Edo State, compelling Governor Monday Okpebholo to personally intervene in a rescue operation.
The incident, which occurred after the bypass, underscores the state government’s failure to establish a robust emergency response system, unlike those observed in countries frequently visited by the governor and other state officials.
While en route to Irrua in Esan Central Local Government Area, Governor Okpebholo encountered a severe traffic gridlock caused by a collision involving four vehicles, including three commercial minibuses and a white Toyota Venza (registration: ABUJA, GWA 50 AW).
The Venza driver, reportedly driving against traffic, caused the crash, leaving numerous passengers critically injured and bleeding profusely. Bystanders, rather than assisting, recorded the scene, highlighting the lack of coordinated emergency response.In the absence of a state-provided ambulance service, the governor was forced to repurpose two of his security Hilux vehicles as makeshift emergency transport.
Okpebholo personally oversaw the evacuation of over ten injured victims, including a severely wounded woman, to a hospital.
While his actions were commendable, they spotlight a critical failure: why must a sitting governor act as an impromptu first responder due to the state’s inadequate emergency infrastructure?
In countries like those the governor and state officials visit, well-equipped ambulance services with trained paramedics respond swiftly to such incidents, ensuring timely medical intervention without requiring high-ranking officials to step in.
Edo State’s lack of such a system left victims dependent on the governor’s presence, a situation that could have delayed or prevented life-saving care had he not been passing by.
The governor remained at the scene until the victims were transported to a medical facility under security escort, a task that should have been handled by a dedicated emergency response team.
While onlookers praised his compassion, the incident raises serious questions about the state government’s priorities.
Motorists and residents expressed frustration, with one eyewitness noting, “If we had a proper ambulance service like other countries, the governor wouldn’t have needed to stop his convoy to save lives. This is a failure of leadership in planning and governance.”
BENDEL Mirror recall that on March 5, 2024, former governor, Godwin Obaseki, launched the Edo State Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
The initiative was designed to provide rapid response to medical emergencies, ensuring that trained personnel and equipped ambulances are available within minutes to stabilize and transport patients to the nearest healthcare facilities.
However, the EMS was nowhere near the accident scene at the busy highway, for the needed emergency rescue operation.
The Edo State government must urgently address this systemic gap by investing in a modern emergency ambulance service to prevent such reliance on chance interventions.
The sanctity of life demands more than ad hoc compassion—it requires infrastructure that matches the standards of nations Edo’s leaders admire abroad.
The incident, which occurred after the bypass, underscores the state government’s failure to establish a robust emergency response system, unlike those observed in countries frequently visited by the governor and other state officials.
While en route to Irrua in Esan Central Local Government Area, Governor Okpebholo encountered a severe traffic gridlock caused by a collision involving four vehicles, including three commercial minibuses and a white Toyota Venza (registration: ABUJA, GWA 50 AW).
The Venza driver, reportedly driving against traffic, caused the crash, leaving numerous passengers critically injured and bleeding profusely. Bystanders, rather than assisting, recorded the scene, highlighting the lack of coordinated emergency response.In the absence of a state-provided ambulance service, the governor was forced to repurpose two of his security Hilux vehicles as makeshift emergency transport.
Okpebholo personally oversaw the evacuation of over ten injured victims, including a severely wounded woman, to a hospital.
While his actions were commendable, they spotlight a critical failure: why must a sitting governor act as an impromptu first responder due to the state’s inadequate emergency infrastructure?
In countries like those the governor and state officials visit, well-equipped ambulance services with trained paramedics respond swiftly to such incidents, ensuring timely medical intervention without requiring high-ranking officials to step in.
Edo State’s lack of such a system left victims dependent on the governor’s presence, a situation that could have delayed or prevented life-saving care had he not been passing by.
The governor remained at the scene until the victims were transported to a medical facility under security escort, a task that should have been handled by a dedicated emergency response team.
While onlookers praised his compassion, the incident raises serious questions about the state government’s priorities.
Motorists and residents expressed frustration, with one eyewitness noting, “If we had a proper ambulance service like other countries, the governor wouldn’t have needed to stop his convoy to save lives. This is a failure of leadership in planning and governance.”
BENDEL Mirror recall that on March 5, 2024, former governor, Godwin Obaseki, launched the Edo State Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
The initiative was designed to provide rapid response to medical emergencies, ensuring that trained personnel and equipped ambulances are available within minutes to stabilize and transport patients to the nearest healthcare facilities.
However, the EMS was nowhere near the accident scene at the busy highway, for the needed emergency rescue operation.
The Edo State government must urgently address this systemic gap by investing in a modern emergency ambulance service to prevent such reliance on chance interventions.
The sanctity of life demands more than ad hoc compassion—it requires infrastructure that matches the standards of nations Edo’s leaders admire abroad.
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