Train crushes deaf and dumb graduate to death

A deaf and dumb graduate, identified only as Ibrahim, has been killed by a train in the Oyingbo area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Ibrahim was walking along the track around 2pm on Tuesday when a train that just took off from the Iddo station crushed him to death.

Residents said efforts to save the victim were abortive as he did not respond to alerts until it was too late.


His body was said to have been cut into two, while his arms and legs were chopped off.

When our correspondent got to the scene around 3pm, blood still dotted the spot where he was killed.

A pair of shoes reportedly belonging to him were also seen in the area, while a crowd lamented the incident.

His remains were said to have been moved into a commercial bus and covered with leaves and hard paper.

A witness said Ibrahim was heading towards the Oko Baba area.

He said, “Ibrahim was a graduate of a university in Ibadan, Oyo State. He came to Lagos to work. He was deaf and dumb.

“Around 2pm, after observing the Islamic prayer, we saw him walking beside the track; then he entered the main track.

“When we saw the train hooting and he continued walking, we became alarmed. Some people threw water on him, while others even threw stone at him. But he did not pay attention. He merely shook them off and readjusted his cap.”

The train was said to have hit him, as residents watched in horror.

PUNCH Metro learnt that some residents quickly mobilised and carried the corpse into the bus.

It was learnt that the victim, who hailed from Ogun State, had recently lost a sibling.

A policeman and an official of the Nigerian Railway Corporation were observed taking the details of the victim.

They both refused to comment on the issue when approached.

A vendor in the area, who did not identify himself, urged the authorities to find solution to the recurring train accidents in the area.

He said, “Last year, around 8pm, a man was also killed around this same area. The Iddo station is very close to this place, and maybe it has something to do with it. But most of these accidents are caused by people who either block their ears with headphones or are lost in thought. The one that happened today was, however, unfortunate.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident, adding that the Railway Police Command was investigating the case.