Traffic congestion on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway worsened on Wednesday following a multiple-vehicle crash at Otedola, shortly before the bridge inward Berger.
The accident involved three trucks and two other vehicles, with one driver trapped inside a truck before being rescued in a joint operation by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Police, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Lagos State Ambulance Service.
No death was recorded, although some of those involved sustained varying degrees of injuries.
LASTMA said its officers were immediately deployed to the scene for rescue, evacuation and traffic control. The agency added that the crash created a traffic backlog extending towards the Toll Gate.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said its response team arrived at the scene at 1:28 p.m., about 10 minutes after receiving a distress call.
According to LASEMA, five vehicles were involved in the crash: a containerised truck, a loaded trailer, a truck conveying a generator, a white Honda and a Lexus.
Preliminary findings indicated that the containerised truck developed a mechanical fault while in motion, lost control and rammed into three vehicles. Another truck subsequently crashed into the vehicles from behind.
LASEMA said all trapped victims were rescued alive and given first aid at the scene before being taken to the Trauma Centre for further medical attention.
Recovery operations were ongoing as private towing trucks and a crane were deployed to remove the damaged vehicles and restore normal traffic flow.
Congestion Spreads Across Expressway
The Otedola crash has compounded severe congestion on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which has persisted since Tuesday following another multiple-vehicle accident at Kara Bridge and ongoing repairs to the bridge’s expansion joints.
On Tuesday, a 40-foot container-laden truck reportedly suffered a mechanical fault and crashed into several vehicles at Kara Bridge.
Seven vehicles were involved in the incident, further worsening traffic around the bridge, where repair work had already reduced available road space.
The resulting gridlock stretched beyond the Long Bridge towards Magboro and into Lagos, leaving motorists and commuters stranded for several hours.
By Wednesday morning, commuters were still dealing with the aftermath.
A transporter, Ibrahim, described the situation as “very, very serious”, particularly along the Mowe-Berger axis.
“From Mowe to Berger now? Two persons is 8,000 Naira,” he said, referring to the motorcycle fare for two passengers.
Another commuter said he had been trapped in traffic for about two hours after leaving Bagada at around 6:30 a.m. He said he eventually resorted to trekking after failing to find a bus.
“Some drivers are sleeping on the side because there’s no movement,” he said.
A commuter travelling to Aba said the congestion had forced him to spend the night inside his vehicle.
“In Ikeja, we slept there since 3 a.m. We slept there till this morning,” he said.
Another motorist said he entered the traffic from Apapa at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday and remained stuck for hours.
“I’ve been in this traffic since 10 o’clock in the night yesterday. I’m coming from Apapa. I entered the traffic at Anthony, around 10, maybe like 15 minutes after 10,” he said.
Repairs Add to Traffic Pressure
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has faced additional pressure since the Federal Government began repairs on the expansion joints at Kara Bridge on September 8.
The ongoing work has reduced available road space in parts of the bridge, while traffic management measures have been introduced to facilitate the movement of vehicles.
The latest crash at Otedola has added another obstruction to the already congested corridor, with motorists heading towards Berger and the Lagos end of the expressway facing further delays as recovery operations continue.
Authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution and cooperate with traffic management personnel deployed to the affected sections.
