Train Derails in Ogun State, Dozens Escape Tragedy
A serious incident occurred on Friday as a passenger train derailed near the Abeokuta-Odeda-Ibadan Highway in Ogun State, narrowly missing dozens of roadside traders and their customers.
The derailment, which took place at the Kila area, led to significant traffic congestion as the train blocked a major section of the road. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic and noted how narrowly the train avoided plowing into the busy roadside market.
“It could have been a disaster. Just a little more deviation, and people would have died,” said one trader who witnessed the event.
While the exact reason for the derailment remains unclear, emergency agencies quickly mobilized to manage the traffic buildup and ensure public safety.
The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) urged commuters to steer clear of the affected stretch and instead use alternate routes such as the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
TRACE spokesperson Babatunde Akinbiyi said the agency is working closely with the Nigerian Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to clear the blockage and restore normalcy.
He stated, “Due to the train derailment at Kila, resulting in the blockage of the Abeokuta-Odeda-Ibadan Highway, motorists are advised to take other routes. TRACE, in collaboration with the Police, FRSC, and NRC, is handling the situation.”
Attempts to get a response from NRC’s spokesperson, Mahmood Yakub, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to phone calls or text messages.
