A major rail safety scare occurred on Thursday morning when a coach detached from a moving train along the busy Ladipo section of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, causing panic among commuters and passersby. The train, which was travelling from Ogba Ayo in Ogun State to Apapa in Lagos, suffered a mechanical failure that resulted in the unexpected separation of its rear coach.
The incident, which took place during peak morning hours, briefly halted transportation activities in the area and raised serious questions about the safety of Nigeria’s rail infrastructure.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described chaotic moments as passengers inside the affected coach shouted for help, while road users along the expressway looked on in shock. The detached coach reportedly came to a halt after drifting for several metres, narrowly avoiding a derailment or collision.
“There was shouting and confusion. People were jumping out when they realised something was wrong. It was a terrifying scene. Thank God no one was hurt,” said Oloruntoba Omodele, a witness who captured part of the incident on video.
The stranded coach remained separated from the rest of the train for over 30 minutes before emergency responders and NRC technical staff arrived to stabilise the situation. Though no injuries or fatalities were reported, the event led to significant traffic congestion in the densely populated Ladipo axis and disrupted train schedules for the day.
Efforts to get an official statement from the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) have been unsuccessful. Repeated calls and text messages to NRC spokesperson, Mamood Yakunu, were ignored, leaving the public without crucial details on the cause of the detachment or immediate safety measures taken.
This lack of response from NRC officials has drawn criticism from concerned Nigerians and transportation stakeholders, who argue that transparent communication is essential in incidents involving public infrastructure.
“This silence is unacceptable. If something had gone terribly wrong, who would be held accountable? The NRC must speak and reassure Nigerians about the safety of the trains,” said Kayode Adewale, a transport policy analyst based in Lagos.
Thursday’s coach detachment incident is the latest in a series of rail-related mishaps that have raised concerns about the state of Nigeria’s railway system. Although the Federal Government has invested heavily in rail infrastructure through recent upgrades, including the Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan routes, maintenance and operational oversight remain under scrutiny.
Transportation unions and commuter rights groups are now demanding an independent investigation into the incident and calling for the publication of NRC’s safety audit reports.
“Rail transport is key to easing Nigeria’s urban traffic and boosting the economy, but only if it’s safe. This kind of detachment could have been catastrophic,” said Martha Ekpenyong, spokesperson for the Citizens’ Transit Watch Nigeria.
As calls mount for accountability, stakeholders are also urging the Federal Ministry of Transportation to enforce stricter oversight and carry out periodic technical inspections across all rail lines. Some experts have suggested the installation of real-time monitoring systems that can detect mechanical faults and alert operators in advance.
While passengers expressed gratitude that Thursday’s incident didn’t result in fatalities, many are now rethinking their trust in the rail system.
“This morning could have ended in tragedy. I’m not sure I’ll be taking the train again anytime soon,” said Grace Eze, a regular Lagos-Ogun commuter.