A potential tragedy was averted on Monday night in Lagos after a passenger train collided with a Toyota Hiace bus at Arena, Oshodi, with authorities confirming that no life was lost and no injuries were recorded despite the severity of the crash.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, confirmed the incident in a preliminary report signed by its Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, and dated December 23, 2025. According to the agency, distress calls were received at about 7:53 pm through its 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines, prompting the immediate activation of the state’s emergency response plan from its Cappa Base in Oshodi.
LASEMA’s response team arrived at the scene by 8:11 pm and discovered that a moving train had collided with a white Toyota Hiace bus with registration number AGL-671-XR. Preliminary investigations revealed that the crash was caused by reckless driving on the part of the bus driver, who reportedly veered onto the rail track near the Arena shopping complex and was struck by an oncoming train, leaving the vehicle trapped on the tracks.
Despite the magnitude of the impact, the agency said no casualty or mortality was recorded, describing the outcome as fortunate given the circumstances. However, the collision resulted in extensive damage to the bus, underscoring the dangers of unsafe driving around rail corridors.
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LASEMA said its officials immediately carried out a risk assessment at the scene and activated necessary safety and control measures to prevent secondary incidents. Train operations were also temporarily suspended as emergency responders coordinated the safe evacuation of the damaged vehicle from the rail line.
The agency confirmed that the bus was eventually removed from the tracks and towed to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, yard in Oshodi. Following the successful recovery operation, the rail line was cleared and normal train activities were fully restored.
The emergency operation involved officials of LASEMA from the Cappa Base in Oshodi, working in collaboration with LASTMA officers. The agency once again urged motorists to exercise caution around rail tracks, warning that reckless driving poses serious risks to lives and public safety.
