NEWS
Lagos Bus Crash: Six Confirmed Dead, 80 Injured, Driver In Police Custody
About six persons have been confirmed dead while 80 sustained various degrees of injuries at the early morning Thursday accident which involved a moving train operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, ramming into a Lagos State Government staff bus at Shogunle and Ikeja, area of the state.
The ill-fated bus with Lagos registration number; 04A- 48LA, number 33, was heading to Alausa, Ikeja from Isolo, and in the processing of beating other motorists at the PWD rail crossing, Shogunle, collided with an oncoming train. It was carrying several passengers, majorly civil servants, and some dependants.
Two persons died on the spot while four others died in the hospital. There were 42 moderately-injured persons, 29 serious injuries and eight mild injuries. 25 persons have been treated and transferred to Gbagada General Hospital, Agege General Hospital and trauma centre at toll gate.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government, FG, has directed the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) experts to commence immediate investigation into the accident.
The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, in a swift reaction on-behalf of FG, who directed NSIB experts to commence immediate investigation, described the accident as “unfortunate.” He assured the public of the capacity of the NSIB to unravel the immediate and remote cause(s) of the accident with the aim to proffer ways of preventing future occurrence.
The government called for the cooperation of members of the public as investigation by the NSIB team commenced.
FG, commiserated with the state government and residents, especially, those who have lost their loved ones, on the sad event, and prayed for the quick recovery of those injured in the accident.
Also, Lagos State Governor, Babjide Sanwo-Olu, in swift response, xpressed deep shock and sorrow over the unfortunate incident.
Sanwo-Olu, later, declared a three day mourning and directed flags to fly at half-mast and civil servants work half day tomorrow (Friday).
Speaking at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, when he visited to assess the situation and commiserated with victims, also cancelled all public engagements and campaigns.
Sanwo-Olu said: ” According to Sanwo-Olu; “I am deeply saddened by the news of the accident. The vehicle was conveying staff of the Lagos State Government, our staff who serve the state in different capacities.
“Let’s say a prayer for the families and a prayer of mercy and protection for our state.
“My thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.”
“This is a very sober time for us as a government, and while we acknowledge God as the giver of life, the one who determines every man’s destiny, it saddens when we have incidents like this.
“The fatal accident happened at the rail crossing around PWD in the Shogunle area. I believe they were coming from the express and needed a right turn, and wanted to drag over the rail.
“It is not yet clear what happened, but it seems like a wrong judgement by the driver. I also learnt he has turned himself to the police, and so investigations will determine what actually went wrong. We would also reach out to the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to give their own account of what transpired so we can have full information.
“We haven’t informed any family members yet because these are civil servants that were going to work so we cannot begin to disclose names until when families have been contacted.
“Of the number of injured persons, 25 were treated very quickly an transferred to the Gbagada General Hospital, Agege General Hospital and the trauma centre at toll gate so this place can be decongested and proper profiling of injuries can be done.
“There will be half day of work tomorrow (today) so we can jointly mourn our staff, our loved ones, and the dead can be buried. Flags will also fly at half mast for the next three days, and we are also declaring a three-day state mourning for the deceased.”
Sanwo-Olu, commended residents who assisted the first responders in the search and rescue operation, saying the true spirit of Lagos must be sustained at all times.
He commended the first responders, LASUTH and LASUCOM staffs and security agencies for their prompt response.
“A big thank you to well meaning Lagosians who immediately joined in rescue efforts. Our first responders and emergency services are on ground and we will share more information shortly,” he said.
Sanmwo-Olu hails Jandor, Rhodes-Vivoour for visiting victims
The governor, also commended candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Jide Adeniran and Labour Party, LP, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour for visiting and commiserating with the families, saying ‘it is important to thank two of my other competitors – Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and Mr Olajide Adeniran, who I learnt were here earlier, for their show of commitment beyond politics. I thank them for coming here.”
Sanwo-Olu, who said the state has the capacity to tackle emergencies, revealed that investigation has started and regular updates would be given as necessary.
He also urged people to voluntarily donate blood to help LASUTH restock it’s blood bank.
According to Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyitolu, “on arrival of the agency’s response team at the scene of incident, investigation gathered revealed that the immediate cause of the incident was due to reckless driving from part of the BRT bus driver while trying to beat the train road signal before the moving train rammed into the BRT bus.
“Unfortunately, three adults (two females one male) confirmed dead and 84 people seriously injured.
“The injured victims have been administered first aid treatment by the agency’s medical team (paramedics) and LASAMBUS officials and were well stabilized before being transported to Ikeja General Hospital and trauma center for further treatment.
“The agency pre hospital care unit, LASAMBUS officials, Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, LASTMA, Lagos Neighbourhood Security Corps, LNSC, and Nigerian Army provided security at the scene of incident.”
The incident which occurred at about 7.45 am, was later cleared at about 11 am, when the ill-fated bus was removed from the tracks and the train recovered by the LASEMA crane.
Minister for Transportation mourns
Reacting to the incident, Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, expressed condolence to the victims and bereaved families.
“We are saddened by the news of the accident which occurred this morning involving a train operated by the NRC, and a Lagos State staff bus, conveying workers to duty early hours of today in Shogunle, Lagos.
“We pray for eternal repose for those who have lost their lives and we pray the Almighty God grant them eternal rest and we pray for speedy recovery to the injured.
“We commiserate with the families of the victims and particularly the Governor and people of Lagos state. Please accept our deepest concerns and condolences.
“We also appreciate the cooperation we got from the Lagos State Government, NEMA and concerned Nigerians who swung into action after the ill-fated incident to ensure the site was cleared and the injured got immediate treatment.”
Jandor, Rhodes-Vivour visit scene
The Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos, Dr. Olajide Adediran, popular called Jandor and his Labour Party counterpart, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, have commiserated with the victims and families of those who lost their loved ones.
Jandor, however, tasked the state government on the need to provide barriers at roads leading to rail lines to prevent accidents.
The Governorship candidate, who after visiting the scene, was later denied entry into the Ikeja General Hospital to see the victims,
He described the crash as sad, and unbecoming of a cosmopolitan state like Lagos.
“The incident is so sad. I think it’s about time we began to have barriers that would stop vehicles when trains are coming.
“This is a kind of responsibility for the government. We cannot continue like this, there should be a barrier on the rail line, when trains are coming.
“I’m sure we are going to get it right, I will be going to the hospital to see the victims so that we know how to provide succuor to them.
“This is getting too much, we saw the fire incident that occurred in a market in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government yesterday and I would be going there too to see the level of damage.
“We will get it right as a government. We should prevent vehicles from passing, when trains are coming,” he said.
MD NRC speaks
The Managing Director, NRC, Fidet Okhiria, recounted that,: “According to the information I gathered at the scene of the incident, they said many cars stopped when they got to the level crossing while the Lagos State staff bus driver continued moving, which I don’t know why.
”Maybe the driver thought he could pass before the train got nearer to him. He could not pass, then the train crushed the bus; that is what we gathered. The train was coming from Ijoko to Iddo.”
Okhiria urged drivers in Lagos to exercise caution when crossing railway tracks to prevent accidents. He emphasized the importance of drivers always being mindful of the level crossing and not disregarding the designated stopping point, as doing so can be dangerous.
According to Taofiq Adebayo, Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the bus involved in the accident was en route to Ikeja from the Isolo area of the state when the incident occurred at PWD, Ikeja.
Panic swept through parts of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on Friday after a fresh gas leak affected more than 100 students and teachers across several schools, forcing many victims to be rushed to hospitals for treatment.
The incident, which occurred less than two months after a similar case in the town, reportedly affected schools including Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende, and Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Epe Garage, among others.
Witnesses said students suddenly began complaining of breathing difficulties, stomach aches, dizziness, and weakness as the strange gas spread across the affected areas.
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Videos circulating online showed frightened students running out of school premises while teachers and residents assisted those who fainted into vehicles for emergency medical attention.
Many of the affected students were taken to the Ogun State Hospital in Ijebu Ode, while others were rushed to nearby private medical facilities as worried parents stormed the hospitals.
An eyewitness described the situation as more severe than the previous gas leak recorded in April.
“I am currently at the Ogun State Hospital, Ijebu Ode, and the hospital is overcrowded. Some parents had to move their children to private hospitals. The students are complaining of stomach pain and weakness. This incident affected multiple schools and over 100 students,” the source said.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, confirmed the development, stating that emergency response agencies had been mobilised to contain the situation and investigate the source of the leak.
According to the commissioner, air quality monitoring devices installed within the area detected elevated methane gas concentrations, with readings reportedly peaking at about 13,500 ppm in surrounding locations.
He explained that although the methane level remained below the lower explosive limit, the situation was environmentally significant and required urgent investigation.
Oresanya said the state government had activated a multi-agency environmental and public health assessment team comprising environmental regulators, emergency responders, security agencies, and air quality experts to determine the source and extent of the emissions.
Officials, including the Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, and the Managing Director of OGEPA, Kenny Bello, were also seen visiting affected schools and hospitals to assess the situation and monitor medical response efforts.
Residents were advised to remain calm, avoid open flames or ignition sources in areas with unusual gas odours, and immediately seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, or respiratory discomfort.
The latest incident comes weeks after over 30 students and a teacher were hospitalised following another gas leak at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School in April, raising fresh concerns over environmental safety in the area.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government and Kaduna State authorities to release former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai before the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, describing his continued detention as unfair and politically troubling.
Atiku made the demand in a statement issued on Friday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
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The former presidential candidate condemned El-Rufai’s detention ahead of the Muslim festival, saying it contradicts the spirit of mercy, compassion, and reconciliation associated with Eid-el-Kabir.
According to Atiku, it would be wrong for any government to deny a citizen freedom without clear justification, especially during a significant religious period when families are expected to reunite.
He warned against the alleged use of state institutions to intimidate perceived political opponents, stressing that democracy should not be used as a weapon to settle political scores.
“At a time when millions of Muslims are preparing for Eid-el-Kabir, it is unconscionable to keep a citizen away from his family without just cause,” Atiku stated.
The former vice-president also argued that the credibility of any democratic government depends on how it treats opposition figures and perceived critics.
He urged authorities to ensure transparency if El-Rufai’s detention is connected to ongoing legal proceedings, insisting that every Nigerian citizen is entitled to constitutional rights, including liberty and due process.
The demand comes days after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission confirmed that a Federal High Court in Kaduna granted El-Rufai access to medical treatment while in custody.
El-Rufai and his co-defendant, Joel Adoga, are facing a 10-count charge bordering on alleged corruption, money laundering, and possession of proceeds of crime before Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has intensified its push for globally competitive artificial intelligence and digital technology solutions, as the 2026 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation attracted a record 237 entries, the highest participation level since the prestigious $100,000 award was established in 2004.
The milestone comes months after the 2025 edition ended without a winner, following a rigorous evaluation process that found none of the 112 entries submitted met the Prize’s benchmark for scientific excellence, originality, scalability and real-world impact.
The entries were formally handed over to the Prize’s Advisory Board during a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, officially commencing the adjudication process for this year’s competition themed: Innovations in ICT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Technologies for Development.
The retention of the theme for a second consecutive year reflects growing recognition of the role of AI and digital technologies in solving socio-economic challenges and accelerating national development.
Speaking at the event, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, said the record-breaking number of entries signals renewed confidence in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and growing interest among researchers in technology-driven solutions.
“In this fourth revolution, digital infrastructure is as foundational to our survival as electricity or water. For Nigeria, our economic sustainability depends on our ability to move beyond promising research and into undeniable innovation that delivers,” Horsfall said.
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She noted that the decision not to award a winner in 2025 was difficult but necessary to preserve the integrity and global credibility of the Prize.
“We believe that if a Nigerian discovery is to command global respect, it must withstand the highest levels of scrutiny. It is this conviction that guided the difficult decision seven months ago,” she stated.
According to Horsfall, NLNG responded to last year’s outcome by deepening engagement with Nigeria’s scientific and technology community through nationwide roadshows, media campaigns, collaborations with innovation hubs, and knowledge-sharing sessions with researchers and academic institutions.
“Our response was not to lower our standards but to deepen engagement. Today, we can confidently say those efforts have paid off,” she added.
She described the leap from 112 entries in 2025 to 237 entries in 2026 as evidence of rising momentum in Nigeria’s science, AI, and digital innovation ecosystem.
“It proves that there is a hunger in this country for research, innovation, discovery and recognition. It also proves that we need platforms such as this Prize that elevate scientific endeavour and transform ideas into impact,” Horsfall said.
Receiving the submissions on behalf of the Advisory Board, Chairman of the Board, Prof. Barth Nnaji, described the handover as a crucial stage in the search for transformative scientific breakthroughs capable of addressing Nigeria’s development challenges.
Nnaji, a former Minister of Power, said the no-winner verdict in 2025 reinforced the Prize’s reputation for excellence rather than diminished it.
“Our refusal to award the prize in 2025 was not a dismissal of the hard work of Nigerian innovators; rather, it reinforces that The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation holds a gold standard of excellence,” he stated.
He explained that entries would continue to undergo strict intellectual and technical scrutiny, with emphasis placed on originality, relevance, scalability, and measurable socio-economic impact.
“The theme we have focused on for the past two years is perhaps the most critical topic of our time. We are looking for solutions that directly address Nigeria’s real-world challenges, whether through digital health technologies for rural communities or the use of AI in preserving our cultural heritage and languages,” Nnaji added.
He further assured stakeholders that the adjudication process would remain independent, transparent, and merit-driven.
“We look at every entry through a lens of fairness, balance and equity. It is this consistency that has given the Prize its enduring credibility over the years,” he said.
Also speaking, NLNG’s Manager, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, commended the resilience of Nigerian innovators who returned with stronger entries despite last year’s disappointing outcome.
“To see the numbers rise to 237 this year tells me that innovators did not see last year’s verdict as a deterrent. Instead, they saw it as a challenge,” she said.
The Advisory Board for the Prize also includes Dr. Nike Akande, former Minister of Industry, and Professor Baba Yusuf Abubakar, a professor of quantitative genetics and animal breeding.
The winning entry for the 2026 edition will be unveiled at a world press conference scheduled for September.
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