Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have visited the site of Monday’s fatal train accident, which occurred along the driveways into the Nigerian Army Shopping Arena in Oshodi axis of the state, involving a commuter train and two vehicles, resulting in the death of a father and son.
The government officials had visited the site for an on-the-spot assessment. Africa Update gathered that the victims, a father and son, were said to be driving into the shopping arena when they were caught up by the speeding train. Their Highlander SUV got stuck on the rail track, while all the six persons in the other vehicle, a passenger bus, escaped with different degrees of injuries after the train dragged the commercial bus 800 meters away from the point of collision.
Sanwo-Olu, who expressed regrets, said: “This incident is regrettable because it happened on the day all stakeholders reached a consensus to close down the gates into the shopping arena. And this is part of the concerns we have been raising about commuters’ safety on this axis. We need to act fast. This fatal accident should strengthen our resolve to do the needful and prevent a repeat of the sad incident in the future. “It is also a clarion call on our people to be safety conscious whenever they need to drive across rail track. If there is slow movement of vehicles at any railway bypass, then there is need to keep a safe distance from the rail tracks. “We have been rolling out advocacy on this and we will intensify efforts on it. Safety of the people is paramount and we will do all required to ensure we put a stop to this kind of accident.” Sanwo-Olu disclosed that state government and the Federal Government were on the move to create alternative entry and exit driveways for the shopping arena and other vulnerable points along the railway corridor.
Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) had evacuated the mangled vehicles from the rail track, prior to the visit by the governor and the minister, while those injured had been treated and discharged by medical personnel deployed to the site of the accident.
