Train Crushes Dispatch Rider to Death in Lagos
By Evelyn Usman
Tragedy struck on Thursday morning at the PWD Railway Level Crossing in Ikeja, Lagos, when a dispatch rider lost his life after being hit by a moving train.
The incident occurred when the rider, whose motorcycle had registration number AGL 179 QR, reportedly tried to dash across the tracks despite the warning of an oncoming train. He was said to be heading toward the GRA area of Ikeja when the train rammed into his bike, killing him on the spot.
Eyewitnesses said the train did not stop immediately and continued its journey, leaving behind a scene of horror.
Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) were among the first to arrive at the scene. They quickly cordoned off the area to prevent further accidents and to ease traffic flow. Shortly after, policemen from the Shogunle Division and officials of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) arrived to evacuate the victim’s remains.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the incident as a painful reminder of the dangers of impatience and disregard for traffic safety rules, particularly at railway crossings.
“This is a distressing reminder of how fatal recklessness can be,” Bakare-Oki said. “We must learn to respect traffic signals and government-installed warning signs. Recklessness and haste have no reward on our roads.”
He expressed his condolences to the deceased’s family and urged dispatch riders and all motorists to exercise patience and caution, especially at intersections and railway lines.
Bakare-Oki also reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to ongoing public education, strict law enforcement, and continuous safety campaigns aimed at reducing avoidable road tragedies in Lagos.
