Following directives of the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced investigation into an accident involving a train with registration number 2215 and a Lagos State BRT staff bus with registration number 04A-48LA, which occurred on March 9, 2023 at PWD, Shogunle on Agege Motor Road, Ikeja, Lagos State.

“First responders at the accident site have evacuated the bus and the train.

“This accident investigation marks the first train accident investigation embarked upon by the Bureau since its establishment under the NSIB Act 2022.

“The NSIB, hereby, solicit information from the general public in form of pictures, video or recording evidences to help assist in conducting a comprehensive investigation. The Bureau can be reached through [email protected] and aib Nigeria on its social media platforms. The Bureau can also be reached on its emergency line +234-807-709-0909.

“The NSIB is a multimodal investigation agency charged with the mandate to investigate transportation accidents and serious incidents in Nigeria with the aim of identifying the probable causes and proffer safety recommendations that can prevent reoccurrence” noted the NSIB spokesman.

Recall that Senator  Sirika had promptly directed the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau experts to commence Immediate investigation into the accident, describing the accident as unfortunate.

According to a statement by James Odaudu, the Special Assistant to the Minister of Aviation (Public Affairs), Sirika assures the public of the capacity of the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the accident and proffer ways of preventing such in the future.

The Aviation Minister solicited the  cooperation of members of the public as investigation by the NSIB team commences.

He commiserated with the government and people of Lagos state, especially those who have lost their loved ones, on the sad event, and prays for the quick recovery of those injured in the accident.

According to reports, two persons were confirmed killed while many sustained various degrees of injuries when a moving train rammed into a BRT bus at the PWD bus stop in the Ikeja area of Lagos state on Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu  Jaji Sambo expressed deep sadness over the train accident which occurred in the early hours of Thursday.

The accident involved a Nigerian Railway Corporation passenger train and a Lagos State Government staff bus that was conveying workers to their offices in the Shogunle area of Lagos State.

The Minister sympathised with the victims of the unfortunate incident and prayed for the repose of the souls of those that died and quick recovery for the ones injured.

“We are saddened by the news of the accident which occurred this morning involving a train operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a Lagos State staff bus, conveying workers to  their offices in the early hours of today in Shogunle, Lagos.”

“We pray for those who have lost their lives that the Almighty God should grant them eternal rest and we pray for a speedy recovery to the injured”, he said.

The Minister also commiserated with the families of the victims as well as the Government and people of Lagos state over the incident.

He appreciated the Lagos State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and members of the public for their cooperation in helping to clear the site of the incident and ensuring that the injured got immediate treatment.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Railway  Police command has effectively taken over the investigation into the   incident as a result of the   directive of the Honourable Minister of Transportation for a detailed investigation of the incident.