A dispatch rider lost his life in the early hours of Thursday after being crushed to death by a moving train while attempting to cross the PWD railway level crossing in Ikeja, Lagos state.
The Lagos state Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident in a statement signed by its director of public affairs and enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, who said the fatal collision occurred when the motorcyclist tried to hurriedly cross the tracks before the approaching train.
“The dispatch rider, who was riding a bike with registration number AGL 179 QR, was crushed to death instantly while attempting to beat the train.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that he was travelling at excessive speed and tried to manoeuvre across the railway line to access the GRA area of Ikeja,” Taofiq said.
Taofiq added that LASTMA officers, supported by security personnel from the Shogunle police division, quickly cordoned off the area to prevent secondary accidents and maintain traffic flow.
The State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) was called to remove the victim’s body from the scene.
“As the first responders, LASTMA personnel acted swiftly to secure the location and ensure the smooth movement of vehicles.
“The remains of the deceased were later handed over to SEHMU officials for further action,” he said.
Reacting to the tragedy, the general manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commiserated with the victim’s family and cautioned motorists and cyclists against reckless behavior at railway crossings.
“We deeply sympathize with the family of the deceased. This unfortunate incident is a reminder that road users must always obey traffic signals and warning signs at all railway level crossings. Disregard for safety rules leads to avoidable loss of life,” he said.
Bakare-Oki reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to continuous public awareness campaigns, enforcement, and safety advocacy to prevent similar occurrences.
“Our goal remains to ensure orderliness, sanity, and discipline on Lagos roads,” he added.
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