Gridlock nightmare as multiple vehicles crash on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

A multiple-vehicle accident on Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Sunday triggered severe gridlock, leaving hundreds of motorists stranded for hours.

The accident, which occurred in the afternoon on the inbound Mowe axis, involved an overturned flour-laden truck, a Toyota Corolla, a Toyota RAV4 SUV, and two loaded interstate Mazda buses.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident in a series of updates on its official X handle, saying the truck fell on its side and caused a chain collision that blocked several lanes of the busy expressway.

“A multiple-vehicle crash involving a truck that fell on its side, a Corolla, an SUV (RAV4), and two loaded interstate Mazda buses has been reported on Kara Bridge inwards Mowe,” LASTMA stated.

Eyewitnesses said the impact immediately brought traffic to a standstill, with the gridlock stretching as far back as Magodo and the Secretariat axis, while spill-over traffic affected Omole Junction and Ogunnusi Road.

In a follow-up update, LASTMA said emergency responders were on ground, working to offload the flour from the truck and clear the obstruction to restore traffic flow.

“As transloading efforts are ongoing, all necessary resources are on the ground to ensure safety and good traffic flow,” the agency said.

LASTMA later confirmed that partial recovery of the vehicles involved had been completed, adding that more than one lane has been reopened to ease vehicular movement.

Motorists were advised to remain patient and follow traffic officials’ directives as recovery operations continued.