At least four people have lost their lives in a fatal accident on the Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
According to Channels Television, the crash occurred on Wednesday night and involved multiple trucks, including a fuel tanker, which collided on the bridge.
One of the victims, reportedly an occupant of one of the trucks, was burnt beyond recognition. The accident caused a severe traffic gridlock, halting vehicular movement and leaving many commuters stranded.
Eyewitnesses recounted that one of the trucks, carrying unknown items, veered off the road and rammed into the bridge barricade. The impact detached the truck’s head, which then plunged into the river below.
As of the time of reporting, witnesses said that some occupants of the fallen truck were still missing.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident, noting that eight casualties were recorded, though it did not specify how many were fatalities.
In a statement on its X handle, the agency wrote:
“There’s a report of a multiple road crash where a truck and a container-laden trailer were in flames, another truck spilling its contents (cartons of biscuits) on the road, a container-laden truck ran onto the barrier with its carrier falling off the bridge into the river, thereby blocking the entire road at Kara Bridge inward Mowe.”
It added that recovery efforts were ongoing and that the situation had caused a major traffic backlog along Ogunnusi Road and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, with emergency responders on site.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Olorundare Jimoh, confirmed that five articulated vehicles were involved in the crash, which preliminary reports linked to brake failure.
“We have a case of a multiple accident, which is still under investigation. Unfortunately, we lost a police inspector,” the CP said, adding that all responsible parties would be prosecuted.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) also joined efforts at the scene to restore traffic flow and recover the damaged vehicles.
The heavy congestion forced some motorists to drive against traffic, while commercial drivers increased transport fares — charging between ₦2,000 and ₦2,500 for the Berger–Oshodi route instead of the usual ₦1,000–₦1,200.
The Kara Bridge accident occurred less than 24 hours after another truck crash was reported on the Otedola Bridge in Lagos.