Tinubu condoles Ikeja train accident victims

The President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has sent a condolence message to the families of the victims of a collission involving a train and Lagos State staff bus in the Ikeja area of the state.

The PUNCH reports that no fewer than six people had died in the incident while several others were left injured and getting treatment at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

Reacting to the accident through a message by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, the president-elect prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased.

He also promised to offer support to victims.

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He said, “I offer my sincere condolences to the victims and families affected by the gory incident involving a train and a bus in the Ikeja area of Lagos State earlier today.

“I am praying for all, including those who died and those who sustained injuries in the tragic and unfortunate incident.

“My thoughts are with them and with the Lagos State Government, even as I continue to follow the emergency response efforts closely and offer support, where necessary, to ensure that survivors and others involved receive the best care.

Earlier, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority had blamed the accident on the recklessness of the driver of the staff bus.

The Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, told The PUNCH that the bus was fully loaded with members of staff of the state government, adding that the driver wasn’t patient enough.

He said, “One cannot easily calculate the number of staff members in the bus; it is the same as BRT, some were standing because it is a fully-loaded bus. The driver was supposed to have waited for the train because he still had time. It wasn’t 8 am yet, so why the rush?

“Two people have died and the train dragged the bus to an extent while some people were also fast to have jumped out of the bus while some were trapped. We can say 15 rescued for now. We can’t give the exact number but two people have died.”