ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has renewed its call for caution and strict adherence to traffic regulations following a fatal collision between a moving train and a dispatch rider at the PWD Railway Level Crossing in Ikeja on Thursday.
According to a statement by the agency, the accident occurred when the dispatch rider, whose motorcycle was registered as AGL 179 QR, attempted to cross the railway line while the train was approaching.
The incident, which happened near the route leading to Ikeja GRA, resulted in the instant death of the rider.
Eyewitnesses said the deceased tried to beat the oncoming train in an attempt to cross before it passed.
“He was riding very fast and ignored the signals warning of the approaching train,” one witness told reporters.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Rapper CDQ Hospitalized Following Car Crash
The train, unable to halt in time, continued along its route after the impact.
LASTMA officials arrived shortly after the crash to manage traffic and secure the area.
They were later joined by officers from the Shogunle Police Division, while personnel from the Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) evacuated the body.
In a statement, LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the victim’s family and described the incident as a painful reminder of the dangers of impatience and disregard for safety rules.
“This is a distressing reminder of the dire consequences of impatience and disregard for traffic safety rules, particularly at railway level crossings,” Bakare-Oki said.
He urged dispatch riders and motorists to obey all warning signs, traffic lights, and signals, noting that railway crossings demand heightened attention and discipline.
“We appeal to all road users to remain cautious, patient, and responsible to avoid needless loss of life,” he added.
Bakare-Oki reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to public education and enforcement, saying the agency will intensify awareness campaigns and patrols in high-risk areas.
“We remain committed to public enlightenment, proactive enforcement, and safety advocacy in our mission to ensure sanity and discipline across the Lagos metropolis,” he said.
Thursday’s crash is the latest in a series of fatal accidents at railway crossings in Lagos, many of which have been linked to impatience and violations of safety protocols.