A fresh accident involving an articulated truck and four other vehicles occurred on Thursday afternoon along the Otedola Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, causing significant traffic congestion.
The incident happened barely hours after a fatal multiple-truck collision on Kara Bridge, which claimed several lives and left commuters stranded overnight.
According to eyewitness accounts, the Otedola Bridge crash was reportedly caused by brake failure from the truck, which rammed into a vehicle ahead, resulting in a chain collision involving three additional cars.
No fatalities were recorded at the scene, though one person sustained a minor head injury.
Emergency management officials were yet to arrive when the accident occurred, forcing motorists and passersby to render assistance to the victims.
The crash led to severe traffic gridlock on both sides of the bridge, with commuters spending several hours on the road.
Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were expected to begin clearance operations to restore the free flow of vehicles.
Motorists were advised to exercise caution and consider alternative routes pending the removal of the wrecked vehicles.
Earlier Kara Bridge Incident Leaves Several Dead
The earlier accident on Kara Bridge late Wednesday night involved multiple articulated trucks, including a fuel tanker, and resulted in at least six fatalities, among them a police inspector. Several others sustained varying degrees of injury.
Eyewitnesses reported that one of the trucks lost control and crashed into others, triggering an explosion and fire outbreak.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) later confirmed eight casualties and said rescue and evacuation efforts were ongoing as of Thursday morning.
A towing van deployed to separate the vehicles was also struck during operations, compounding the situation.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olorundare Jimoh, confirmed that five articulated vehicles were involved in the crash, attributing the incident to brake failure. He noted that three injured victims were receiving treatment, and that investigations were underway to prosecute those found culpable.
The collision caused heavy gridlock along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, forcing many motorists to drive against traffic. Commercial transport fares between Berger and Oshodi reportedly surged to between ₦2,000 and ₦2,500.
Authorities have reiterated calls for strict compliance with traffic and safety regulations, particularly for heavy-duty truck operators, to prevent further tragedies on Lagos highways.
