There was confusion and panic in the early hours of Thursday after a moving train suddenly split apart along the busy Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, sending shockwaves through the Ladipo area.
The incident, which occurred around 8:00 a.m., involved a train en route from Ogba Ayo in Ogun State to Apapa in Lagos. The rear coach reportedly detached from the rest of the train while in motion, causing a brief disruption and raising safety concerns among both passengers and bystanders.
Eyewitnesses described the moment as terrifying. “Everyone was shocked by what happened, but thankfully, no lives were lost,” said Oloruntoba Omodele, who witnessed the incident.
“The sound alone made people run for cover. We initially thought it was a derailment or crash.”
While no injuries were recorded, the situation caused a major traffic buildup in the Ladipo axis, a zone already known for heavy congestion.
Emergency responders arrived swiftly at the scene to manage the breakdown and calm anxious commuters. Officials were seen working to reconnect the detached compartment and restore order.
Authorities are yet to issue a detailed explanation for the mechanical fault, but experts say the occurrence signals deeper problems within Nigeria’s transport maintenance systems.
Transport analysts have since urged the Nigerian Railway Corporation and relevant authorities to immediately launch an investigation.
“This could have ended tragically,” said one expert who preferred anonymity. “We can’t afford to play with lives. Our railway infrastructure needs urgent attention.”
