A Good Samaritan, Falade Ahmed Olawale, has shared his disturbing experience where individuals abandoned a road accident victim who later died on Saturday, August 16, 2025, in the Gbagada area of Lagos State.

Olawale was driving home to deliver medication for his mother, who had recently been discharged from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), when he noticed a crowd gathered in Gbagada, heading towards Owonronshoki in Lagos.

While other motorists drove away, Olawale stopped, got out of his car, and walked to the scene. After calling the Lagos State Emergency number and waiting 40 minutes without assistance, he decided to transport five of the seven victims to the Burns and Trauma Centre of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) annexe, located in Gbagada General Hospital.

Despite his efforts, Olawale faced delays and was unable to attend to his mother promptly.

“The accident involved a Korope (mini-bus) and a Mercedes car on Saturday evening around 9:30 p.m. I got there at about 9:50 p.m., and I called emergency, but they did not arrive. I took the victims to Gbagada General Hospital, including one in my car boot to ensure they receive care,” he said.

He continued: “I paid N200,000 for medications, but I was told that I couldn’t leave until the victims’ families were contacted. I was delayed for three hours and eventually allowed to go after promising to return the next day. The hospital initially claimed there was no bed space, but I insisted they be admitted as time was critical. I called friends who sent me N100,000 each and I paid N200,000 for the victims’ treatment.”

Upon returning the following day, Olawale learnt that one of the victims, a lady, had tragically died due to a lack of blood. He criticised the system, saying: “Nigeria failed the lady. The doctors couldn’t provide blood, resulting in an avoidable death.”

However, the Director of Clinical Services at LASUTH, Prof Adebowale Adekoya, defended the hospital’s actions. “The hospital admitted five accident victims, with four in stable condition. We did not request payment, as we manage emergencies without charge,” he stated.

“No one asked for money to be paid. This is a hospital that has been here since 1954 as Cottage Hospital before it became teaching hospital in 2001 and everybody knows that we manage emergency without asking anybody for money. The deceased lady suffered extensive injuries and succumbed to them. Accusations of incompetence or greed are unjustified.”

Adekoya emphasised that as a government hospital, they do not demand payment for treating accident victims as mandated by the Federal Government. “We strive to provide quality care, including complex surgeries, without financial burden on patients,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to show compassion towards accident victims: “We must look out for one another and not abandon those in need. Hospitals are not detention centres, and kindness towards others is essential. We appreciate the opportunity to address these concerns and clarify any misconceptions. Our priority is always the well-being of our patients.”