Earlier this Friday morning, tragedy struck Otedola Bridge, inward Secretariat, after a series of crashes involving heavy-duty trucks brought traffic on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway to a near standstill.

At least one life was lost in the incident, which unfolded in the early hours and left thousands of commuters stranded for hours on one of Lagos’ busiest transport corridors.

According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the primary accident involved two articulated vehicles (one conveying sand and the other granite). Both trucks reportedly collided after a reckless struggle for right of way, resulting in a violent impact that left the sand-laden truck badly damaged.

The driver of the sand truck was trapped inside the wreckage and had to be rescued by LASTMA officials. He was immediately transferred to the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) and rushed to the General Hospital in Ikeja, where he was later confirmed dead. The driver of the granite-carrying truck, however, escaped without injuries.

While emergency responders were still managing the first crash, another accident occurred a short distance away. A truck heavily loaded with bags of flour reportedly lost balance and overturned, scattering its cargo across the road. This second incident worsened an already dire situation, blocking most of the carriageway.

The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command disclosed that the overturned flour truck alone obstructed nearly 90 percent of the road, triggering massive traffic congestion. Combined with the earlier crash, movement along the expressway was severely restricted.

Police officers from the Alausa Division were deployed to secure the area, control crowds, and support rescue and recovery efforts. LASTMA confirmed that the combined accidents rendered about 80 percent of the carriageway unusable, making traffic diversions unavoidable.

Motorists heading into Lagos from Mowe, Kara Bridge, and Redemption Camp were advised to divert through the Ojodu–Olole axis, passing through Agidingbi, Coca-Cola, Secretariat, and 7-Up, before reconnecting to the expressway via Gbagada or Ojota.

The Lagos–Ibadan Expressway remains a critical link between Lagos and several parts of the South-South and South-East. However, repeated crashes along this route continue to raise serious concerns about road safety, especially involving heavy-duty vehicles.

Authorities have urged motorists to drive cautiously as investigations into the cause of the accidents continue.

Many Nigerians are concerned about the unruly behaviour and lack of enforced rules governing these drivers as these incidences concerning truck drivers have occurred countless times.

Credit: The Guardian