Multiple Accidents Trigger Gridlock on Lagos–Ibadan Expressway

Motorists on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway were stranded for hours on Tuesday following two separate accidents on key bridges linking Lagos to the South-West, resulting in severe traffic congestion.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incidents and urged road users to remain cautious while navigating the corridor.

The first crash occurred on Otedola Bridge, inward Berger, and involved five vehicles. Emergency responders and LASTMA officials were immediately deployed to secure the scene and manage traffic. The incident caused a massive backlog, with traffic stretching as far as Ojota Bridge.

A second accident was recorded on Kara Bridge, inward Opic, where eight vehicles were involved in a collision. LASTMA said tow trucks had been mobilised to clear the disabled vehicles, while traffic officers worked to ease the gridlock.

“Tow trucks are on the ground to move the vehicles off the road, and our officers are actively managing traffic at the scene. Motorists are advised to drive with caution at all times,” the agency said in a statement shared on social media.

Kara Bridge, which crosses the Ogun River at the Lagos–Ogun boundary, has a history of frequent accidents. In October, at least six people, including a police inspector, lost their lives in a multi-vehicle crash involving several trucks, one of which was a fuel tanker.

Eyewitnesses said one of the trucks veered off the road, slammed into the bridge’s barricade, and broke apart, with the front section plunging into the Ogun River.

LASTMA later confirmed eight casualties from that incident but did not disclose further details. Video footage released by the agency showed wrecked trucks and bodies at the scene, adding that a towing vehicle deployed for rescue operations was also damaged.

The accident triggered heavy gridlock on the expressway, forcing some motorists to drive against traffic. Commercial drivers were also reported to have taken advantage of the situation by increasing fares on the Berger–Oshodi route from the usual ₦1,000–₦1,200 to between ₦2,000 and ₦2,500.

The Kara Bridge crash occurred less than 24 hours after another truck accident on Otedola Bridge, highlighting persistent safety concerns along one of Nigeria’s busiest highways.

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were also present to control traffic and support vehicle recovery operations.