Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have arrested two individuals for impersonating officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) and exploiting accident victims under false pretenses.
The suspects—34-year-old Nuche Joseph and 29-year-old Lawal Rofiat—were apprehended by RRS officers on April 29, while posing as LASAMBUS personnel. The duo, affiliated with a private company identified as BrainGrace Ambulance Service, had been fraudulently presenting themselves as representatives of the state-run ambulance system.
Investigations revealed that the suspects had been extorting money from unsuspecting victims and their families in exchange for pre-hospital emergency care. These services, officially provided free of charge by the Lagos State Government, were misrepresented by the suspects, who demanded large sums from accident victims.
Their illegal operations came to light following a viral social media post by relatives of a deceased accident victim. The family revealed they were coerced into paying N150,000 for emergency care by BrainGrace Ambulance, only for the victim to pass away before reaching the hospital. Believing they had dealt with LASAMBUS officials, the family took to social media to express their outrage, unintentionally tarnishing the name of the state agency.
The suspects have since confessed to the crime and have been formally charged in court.
The Lagos State Government has reiterated that all emergency ambulance services under LASAMBUS are provided free of charge, and urged residents to verify the identity of any emergency responders claiming affiliation with the government.