Thousands of commuters and motorists faced severe disruptions on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a major highway connecting Nigeria’s economic hub to other regions, following a multi-vehicle accident near the Kara Bridge, inward OPIC.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, involved several trucks and cars, leading to significant traffic congestion along the busy route.
While authorities have yet to confirm any fatalities, reports indicate that some individuals sustained injuries.
“We recorded an accident on the Kara bridge inward Opic on the Lagos Ibadan Express Way with multiple vehicles. LASTMA personnel and other Emergency responders have swung into action to rescue the victims and also clear the affected vehicles,” the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) wrote on X, confirming the accident.
“The incident has dragged traffic backwards Otedola bridge. Patience is required from the road users.”
When Channels Television visited the scene of the accident, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), LASTMA, and other emergency responders were on the ground to condone the area and clear the traffic.
But the gridlock owing to the accident has stretched to the Mowe end of the road and the 7-Up area of Lagos State. The situation led commuters to resort to trekking, while others waited patiently for the gridlock to ease.
Two Lanes Now Open
In an update, however, LASTMA said, “Some of the vehicles affected have been successfully recovered from the road, two lanes are now opened for vehicular movement inward Opic. Efforts are still ongoing to evacuate the articulated truck as well.”
Friday’s incident is the latest in a series of accidents on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a critical route linking Nigeria’s commercial hub to other regions of the country.
Collisions involving articulated vehicles are a common occurrence on the expressway, which recently underwent significant upgrades.