A major accident was narrowly averted in Lagos on Monday night when a moving train collided with a commercial bus in the bustling Oshodi area. Despite the significant impact, emergency officials confirmed a miraculous outcome with no recorded injuries or fatalities.
Swift Emergency Response Averts Disaster
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) received distress calls at approximately 7:53 PM on Monday, December 22, 2025. The agency promptly activated its emergency response plan from its Cappa Base in Oshodi. A response team was dispatched and arrived at the scene near the Arena shopping complex by 8:11 PM.
Upon arrival, officials found a Toyota Hiace bus, with registration number AGL-671-XR, struck and trapped on the rail tracks. The vehicle had been hit by an oncoming train along the rail corridor. The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, signed a preliminary report dated December 23, 2025, confirming these details.
Reckless Driving Cited as Primary Cause
Initial assessments from the scene pointed directly to driver error as the cause of the collision. According to LASEMA's findings, the bus driver allegedly engaged in reckless driving near the rail crossing. The vehicle moved onto the tracks outside the Arena complex and was hit by the approaching train before it could clear the line.
Although the bus sustained extensive damage from the forceful impact, all occupants managed to escape without any physical harm. Officials noted that the outcome could have been far more tragic given the location and timing of the crash.
Operations and Safety Measures Post-Collision
To prevent secondary incidents on the busy Oshodi corridor, the emergency team conducted a full risk assessment. They implemented immediate safety and control measures. A critical step was alerting railway authorities to temporarily suspend all train movement along the affected track.
This suspension allowed responders to safely evacuate the badly damaged bus from the rails. The vehicle was later towed to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) yard in Oshodi. Personnel from LASEMA's Cappa Base and LASTMA officers collaborated on the recovery operation, which involved traffic control and clearing the rail corridor.
The rail line was fully cleared shortly after the recovery, allowing normal train services and activities to resume. Authorities have since reiterated calls for motorists to exercise extreme caution around rail crossings to prevent similar incidents.
