By Elsie Udoh
Nigeria’s President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed his condolences to the victims of the gory accident which occurred on Thursday morning at the PWD railway crossing in the Ikeja area of Lagos.
The collision, which involved a train and a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) fully loaded with state workers, was said to be as a result of reckless driving by the bus driver who tried to beat the train traffic signal but ended up being rammed into by the train.
The scores of the accident were initially said to be two but a recent update from the BBC has revealed that a total of six persons have been confirmed dead with 71 injured from the accident.
Reacting to the incident in a statement on Thursday, Tinubu expressed his condolences to the affected families, while offering prayers for the deceased.
“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. I am praying for all including those who died and those who sustained injuries in the incident,” he tweeted.
“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.”
Also in the spirit of grieving, the governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared three days of mourning and a half day of work on Friday to mourn the losses incurred from the accident.
Sanwo-Olu had also instructed that flags will fly at half-mast in honour of the victims.
Meanwhile, victims of the accident are currently receiving medical attention at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
