The Minister of Transportation, Mr Mu’azu Sambo has expressed sadness over the train accident which occurred in the early hours of Thursday in Lagos.
This is contained in a statement by Henshaw Ogubike, Director of Press and Public Relations of the ministry in Abuja.
Sambo had also ordered an immediate investigation into the unfortunate incident.
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 and prayed for the repose of the souls of those that died and quick recovery for the injured ones.
“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.
READ ALSO: SERMON: Preparing for a cashless Ramadan
“We pray for those who have lost their lives that the Almighty God should grant them eternal rest and speedy recovery to the injured,” he said.
He 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 state Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared three days mourning for victims of the Train/Bus accident.
Sanwo-Olu who visited the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, to know the condition of the victims said the LASUTH team expertly setup an outdoor triage centre, which had contributed in saving lives, speeding up injury level profiling and supporting immediate critical action.
According to him, the accident is a totally avoidable incident that simply requires patience and the need to follow proper transportation protocol.
The governor said the bus involved was bus number 33, one of the fleet of about 50 staff buses used by workers of the Lagos state government, adding that the driver had handed himself over to the Police.
”There were 85 passengers on board the bus with six deaths, 42 moderate injuries, 29 serious and 8 mild injuries according to the LASUTH classification scale.
”Lagos is in a state of mourning and for the next three days, I am suspending all campaign activities.
”All flags will be flown at half mast and tomorrow all civil servants will work till 12 noon before returning home to be with their loved ones during this trying time.
”It is still a critical period for some of the patients, as we continue to call for blood donations across different state government medical facilities.
”This is a call for our humanity to rise above all. I also thank LASEMA, the security agencies, staff and students of LASUTH,” he said.
Gbajabiamila mourns
Also, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has condoled with families of the victims.
In a statement in Abuja, Gbajabiamila expressed grief over the death of innocent people going to their legitimate businesses.
The lawmaker described the incident as regrettable, saying that the accident was avoidable.
Gbajabiamila also sent his condolences to the people and Government of Lagos state over the incident.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of those that lost their lives and quick recovery for the injured.
