Nigerian Ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has called the authorities to swiftly probe and take measure over the unfortunate incident of collision between Train and BRT bus in Lagos on Thursday.
Atiku who was reacting to the unfortunate incident through his social media platform, consoled the families and friends of the victims and the good people and government of Lagos.
According to him, “The unfortunate crash of a train and a BRT bus in Lagos this morning is sad news not only to Lagosians but to all of us Nigerians, as is any mishap anywhere.
“My condolences to the families and friends of the victims and the good people and government of Lagos”, the People’s Democratic Party Presidential Candidate said.
Atiku emphasized the powers of states as federating units in Nigeria, in the area of transportation must be reinforced with enabling laws and enhanced by the states themselves with knowledge and the requisite expertise in the same sector.
“Emergency and medical rescue services must also be enhanced to avoid casualties in accidents such as these”, the Vice President added.
He urged the relevant authorities to swiftly investigate the cause of the accident and take appropriate measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may God grant their families the fortitude to bear the loss”, Atiku Abubakar prayed.
Earlier, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed shock and sorrow over early morning accident, involving a train and a Lagos State Government staff bus, happened between Shogunle and Ikeja, axis of the state.
Three persons reportedly died, while over 84 others sustained various degrees of injuries in the accident as confirmed by Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA.
In a swift reaction to the unfortunate incident, Sanwo-Olu, who expressed sadness, registered his sincere condolences to the families of those that lost their lives in the accident, praying that God would grant them eternal rest.
According to Sanwo-Olu: “I am deeply saddened by the news of the accident. The vehicle was conveying staff of the Lagos State Government, our staff who serve the state in different capacities.
The Governor, however, expressed appreciation to residents who assisted the state’s first responders in the search and rescue operation, saying “the true spirit of Lagos must be sustained at all times.”
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyitolu, “on the arrival of the agency’s response team at the scene of the incident, investigation gathered.
Revealed that the immediate cause of the incident was due to reckless driving from part of the BRT bus driver while trying to beat the train road signal before the moving train rammed into the BRT bus.