Traffic congestion on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway worsened on Wednesday after a multiple-vehicle crash at Otedola, just before the bridge inward Berger.
Our correspondent confirmed that three trucks and two other vehicles were involved in the accident.
No death was recorded, while some of those involved sustained varying degrees of injuries. One victim trapped inside a truck was rescued through a joint operation involving the FRSC, Police, LASTMA and the Lagos State Ambulance Service.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said its officers were immediately deployed for rescue, evacuation and traffic control, adding that the crash caused a backlog extending to the Toll Gate.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said its response team arrived at the scene at 1:28 p.m., 10 minutes after receiving a distress call.
According to LASEMA, the crash involved five vehicles, including a containerised truck, a loaded trailer, a truck carrying a generator, a white Honda and a Lexus.
The agency said preliminary findings showed that the containerised truck developed a mechanical fault while in motion, lost control and rammed into three vehicles, before another truck crashed into them from behind.
LASEMA said all trapped victims were rescued alive and received first aid at the scene before being taken to the Trauma Centre for further treatment.
Recovery operations were ongoing as private towing trucks and a crane were deployed to remove the damaged vehicles and restore traffic flow.
Gridlock
The fresh crash has worsened the severe congestion on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which has persisted since Tuesday following a separate multiple-vehicle accident at Kara Bridge and ongoing repairs to the bridge’s expansion joints.
On Tuesday, a 40-foot container-laden truck crashed into several vehicles at Kara Bridge after reportedly suffering a mechanical fault. The incident involved seven vehicles and compounded ongoing repairs to the bridge’s expansion joints.
The resulting congestion stretched beyond the Long Bridge towards Magboro and into Lagos, leaving motorists and commuters stranded for several hours.
By Wednesday morning, commuters were still battling the aftermath of the congestion for hours.
One transporter, Ibrahim, described the situation as “very, very serious”, particularly between Mowe and Berger.
“From Mowe to Berger now? Two persons is 8,000 Naira,” he said, referring to his motorcycle fare being charged for two passengers.
Another commuter said he had been stuck for about two hours after leaving Bagada around 6:30 a.m., adding that he had resorted to trekking after failing to get a bus.
“Some drivers are sleeping on the side because there’s no movement,” he said.
A separate commuter, who was travelling to Aba, said the congestion had forced him to spend the night in his vehicle.
“In Ikeja, we slept there since 3 a.m. We slept there till this morning,” he said.
Another motorist said he entered the traffic from Apapa at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday and remained trapped for hours.
“I’ve been in this traffic since 10 o’clock in the night yesterday. I’m coming from Apapa. I entered the traffic at Anthony, around 10, maybe like 15 minutes after 10,” he said.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has been under additional pressure since the Federal Government commenced repairs on the expansion joints at Kara Bridge on September 8.
The repairs have reduced available road space as work is carried out on sections of the bridge, with traffic management measures introduced to keep vehicles moving.
The latest Otedola crash has now added another obstruction to the already congested corridor, with motorists travelling towards Berger and the Lagos end of the expressway expected to experience further delays as recovery operations continue.
Authorities have continued to urge motorists to exercise caution and cooperate with traffic management personnel at the affected sections.
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