Tragedy strikes as train fatally hits man in Lagos

Tragedy Strikes as Train Claims Another Life in Lagos

Within just two weeks, two men have tragically lost their lives in Lagos State after being struck by moving trains.

On Monday, October 21, 2024, a train accident in Ikeja claimed the life of an unidentified man, following a similar incident in Oshodi, where another man was fatally hit by a train only ten days prior.

Olufemi Oke-Osayintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), reported that the agency received urgent calls early that morning. LASEMA’s response team arrived on the scene shortly after 9:00 AM and found the victim’s body on the tracks. Initial assessments revealed that he had been struck by a passing train. The agency recovered the body and transferred it to the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) for further procedures.

Oke-Osayintolu expressed deep concern over the frequency of such incidents, underscoring the risks associated with unauthorized activities near train tracks.

The persistent issue of illegal trading along railway lines has been a focal point for authorities. Abdulraheem Gbadeyan, spokesperson for the Lagos State Task Force, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to tackling the problem. Despite repeated efforts to clear traders from these hazardous areas, many continue to operate there.

Gbadeyan noted that task force officers had recently removed traders at Mile 2, though some persist in defying regulations. “Last week, we cleared some traders at Mile 2, but despite warnings and arrests, they remain defiant. We will intensify arrests to deter this dangerous practice. Train tracks are not places for trading,” Gbadeyan stated.

The ongoing incidents have stirred residents to call for stronger measures to protect lives and prevent future tragedies.