The simulation exercise

Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Lagos State Government has debunked rumours of a plane crash around Oworonshoki area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria today, saying what people saw was merely a simulation exercise.

Rumours of a plane crash spread around Lagos as residents said they saw a plane going down around Oworonshoki area, saying that the plane actually crashed.

Emergency workers at work durin the exercise

But General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Michael Akindele debunked the rumour of plane crash, saying it was just simulation being carried out to ascertain preparedness of emergency agencies in the case of a plane crash.

“As part of emergency preparedness of the National Emergency Management Agency, in collaboration with Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA ) and other stakeholders in Lagos State, a simulation exercise was today conducted on plane crash in Oworoshoki Area of Lagos State South West Nigeria,” he said.

Divers and government emergency workers during the simulation exercise

Akindele said the exercise is to assess the level of preparedness and identify gaps of emergency responders in the case of plane crash or related emergency in the State.

He explained that the exercise would also help to assist in the areas such as coordination, response time, capacity building and the use of equipment and personnel during emergencies/disaster.

Agencies involved in the exercise includes NEMA, LASEMA, LASAMBUS, LASTMA, Lagos State Fire Service; Lagos State Waterway Authority.

Other Agencies are NAMA, NIMASA, Nigeria Police, RRS, NSCDC, FRSC, Nigeria Air Force, Nigeria Navy, and local divers.