TRAFFIC GRIDLOCK AS MULTI-VEHICLE CRASH OCCURS ON OTEDOLA BRIDGE HOURS AFTER DEADLY KARA BRIDGE ACCIDENT
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
A multiple-vehicle crash involving four cars and an articulated truck caused severe traffic disruption on the Otedola Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Thursday afternoon, barely hours after a separate deadly collision on Kara Bridge claimed several lives.
According to eyewitnesses, the truck reportedly suffered brake failure, crashing into a vehicle in front and setting off a chain collision involving three other vehicles.
Though no fatalities were recorded in the Otedola Bridge incident, one occupant sustained a minor head injury. The crash, which occurred amid heavy traffic, left commuters stranded for hours as emergency responders were yet to arrive at the scene when the accident happened.
Motorists and passersby were seen assisting the victims while traffic stretched for kilometres on both sides of the expressway.
Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were later mobilised to the scene to begin clearance operations and ease congestion.
Authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution and use alternative routes pending the complete removal of the affected vehicles.
The fresh accident came just hours after a fatal crash on Kara Bridge, also along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where at least six people including a police inspector lost their lives.
That incident, which occurred late Wednesday night, involved five articulated trucks, including a fuel tanker, and resulted in a fire outbreak after one of the trucks reportedly lost control due to brake failure.
Lagos Commissioner of Police, Olorundare Jimoh, confirmed the development, noting that three injured victims had been taken to hospital, while investigations were ongoing to prosecute those found culpable.
Rescue and evacuation efforts were hampered when a towing van brought in to separate the vehicles was also struck during the operation, worsening the gridlock.
As a result of both crashes, traffic congestion intensified along the Berger–Oshodi route, forcing some motorists to drive against traffic, while commercial fares surged to between ₦2,000 and ₦2,500.
LASTMA officials said the situation was under control as clearance operations continued late into the evening to restore normal flow on one of Lagos’s busiest highways.
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