Motorists and commuters endured over 14 hours of gridlock on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Tuesday after a multiple-vehicle crash at Kara Bridge compounded ongoing repair works in the area.
The early-morning accident involved seven vehicles and initially obstructed traffic heading toward Ogun State.
As the day progressed, the resulting congestion extended past the Long Bridge, through Magboro, and deep into Lagos.
The situation was made worse as impatient drivers, attempting to escape the standstill, began driving against traffic, causing additional bottlenecks for vehicles heading toward Lagos.
By 7am, traffic was already backed up for motorists traveling from Lagos to Ogun State, and congestion worsened throughout the day. According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), its Tiger Squad stationed at C3 responded to the scene at 6:05am, arriving within the projected response time.
Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, listed the vehicles involved: a 40-foot container truck without a registration number, a Toyota Hilux, an interstate bus, a Hyundai Odyssey, a Sienna, a Toyota Highlander, and a Mitsubishi Hilux.
He explained that preliminary investigations revealed the container truck developed a mechanical fault while in motion, causing the driver to lose control and crash into the other vehicles.
LASEMA activated its incident management protocol, coordinating with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Nigeria Police to prevent secondary accidents and manage traffic.
Private towing trucks assisted in clearing the wreckage, and all affected vehicles were eventually moved to the roadside. Fortunately, there were no reported fatalities or injuries.
LASTMA officials remained on site to monitor the situation and facilitate the restoration of movement. The recovered vehicles were handed over to the police for documentation and further action.
Despite the eventual removal of the crashed vehicles, the damage was done. Gridlock had spread toward Lagos as numerous motorists driving against traffic created a new obstruction, especially at the OPIC end of the road as they attempted to rejoin the main carriageway.
One motorist, Jude, recounted that “those taking one-way occupied three lanes, leaving only one lane for vehicles coming into Lagos. Another motorist reported spending over five hours in traffic and missing an appointment.
A traffic official, speaking anonymously, attributed the renewed gridlock to the large number of vehicles that had taken the one-way route and were now reconnecting to the main road at OPIC, effectively blocking vehicles heading into Lagos.
As of 5pm, traffic remained at a standstill, stretching beyond the Long Bridge toward Magboro and leaving many stranded. By 7pm, the gridlock had reached Iyana-Oworo, with slow movement reported on the Third Mainland Bridge.
Adebayo Taofiq, LASTMA’s spokesperson, said the situation was worsened by another accident at the Kara axis in the evening, noting, “LASTMA officers were there till this night.”
The prolonged gridlock also led to fare hikes by transporters, with commuters paying up to N2,000 for trips from Iyana-Oworo to Berger far above the usual N500 N700. Similarly, fares from Iyana-Oworo to Mowe jumped from N1,200 to N3,000.
These events unfolded amid ongoing repairs on the Kara Bridge, which have already caused significant delays on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Previous reports from PUNCH Metro highlighted hours-long delays since repair works began on damaged expansion joints, with congestion stretching from the bridge toward the 7Up Junction and other parts of the Lagos-bound carriageway.
The repairs have reduced available road space, making the corridor especially vulnerable to severe congestion whenever crashes or breakdowns occur.
Motorists have expressed concern that the combination of construction work and roadside obstructions is increasing safety risks and further prolonging travel times on this major interstate route.
Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, confirmed that the crash had aggravated the already difficult traffic situation, adding, “Our men, with other traffic officials, are managing the situation. Aside from the impatience on the part of drivers, which had resulted in the gridlock…”
