Dispatch Rider Killed by Train at Ikeja Railway Crossing in Lagos

A dispatch rider tragically lost his life on Thursday after being struck by a moving train at the PWD Railway Level Crossing in Ikeja, Lagos State.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident in a statement by its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq. The rider, operating a motorcycle with number plate AGL 179 QR, reportedly attempted to cross the railway line at high speed in a bid to reach the GRA area of Ikeja. He was hit by the oncoming train and died instantly.

“Preliminary investigations by security personnel at the scene indicated that the rider tried to manoeuvre across the tracks hastily, leading to the fatal collision,” Taofiq said. The body was subsequently handed over to health officers from the State Emergency Unit for appropriate action.

LASTMA personnel, supported by the Shogunle Police Division, cordoned off the scene to prevent further accidents and ensure traffic flow. The State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit later evacuated the deceased’s remains.

General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, through Taofiq, expressed condolences to the family of the rider and urged all road users to obey traffic rules, especially at railway crossings. He stressed that adherence to traffic signals and warning signs is crucial in preventing avoidable tragedies.

Train-related accidents have been recurring in Lagos, raising safety concerns around rail tracks. In September 2018, a police inspector and a motorcyclist were crushed at the same PWD crossing, while in August 2024, an unidentified man was killed on the Cappa railway tracks in Mushin. In 2023, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) advocated for the installation of functional level-crossing gates and signal systems to reduce such incidents.