There was panic along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway on Thursday morning after a train coach detached while the train was in motion near the busy Ladipo area of Lagos.
The incident happened around 9am and involved a train travelling from Ogba Ayo in Ogun State to Apapa in Lagos. Eyewitnesses said the last coach of the train suddenly disconnected from the rest while the train was moving, causing confusion among passengers and road users.
One of the eyewitnesses, Oloruntoba Omodele, said many people were frightened and began running when they noticed that the train had split into two.
“All the passengers were taken aback, but thankfully, no lives were lost. Many ran for their lives because they didn’t understand what had happened,” Omodele said.
The detachment caused a temporary halt in train movement as the disconnected coach remained stationary for more than 30 minutes before officials managed to stabilise it and reconnect it. Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after to assess the situation and ease the heavy traffic that had built up in the area.
Traffic in the Ladipo area, which is usually congested, became even worse as vehicles slowed down and people gathered to witness what had happened.
As at the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). Attempts to reach the NRC’s spokesperson, Mamood Yakunu, were not successful. Calls and text messages sent to his line were not returned.
This latest incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of the country’s rail infrastructure, especially as Nigeria continues to promote the use of trains as a safer and more affordable means of transportation.
Some commuters expressed their fears and dissatisfaction with the current state of train services in the country. “If the train can just break like that while moving, what guarantee do we have that it won’t cause a major disaster next time?” asked Mrs. Folake Adedoyin, a regular user of the Lagos-Abeokuta route.
In recent years, the Nigerian government has been investing heavily in rail transport, including the Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kaduna rail projects. However, issues such as poor maintenance, outdated equipment, and lack of proper safety checks continue to affect public confidence in the system.
A railway technician who spoke anonymously said a coach detaching mid-motion could be due to mechanical failure, worn-out couplings, or human error during pre-departure checks.
“These trains need constant checks and servicing. Once the couplings get weak and are not replaced in time, a detachment like this can happen. It’s dangerous,” the technician said.
Meanwhile, the NRC is yet to issue any statement on the exact cause of the incident or what steps will be taken to prevent a recurrence.
Until investigations are concluded, passengers have been advised to stay calm but remain alert while using train services. Many hope the authorities will treat the matter seriously and ensure that safety is prioritised going forward.
Lagos has in recent times recorded several rail-related incidents, including accidents at level crossings and issues with train delays, all of which have contributed to public concern.
Residents and stakeholders are now calling on the government and the Nigerian Railway Corporation to conduct a full audit of the rail infrastructure, improve safety protocols, and provide regular updates to the public to regain trust in the system.
