A nightmare commute unfolded early Friday after two separate crashes at Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway left one person dead, another critically injured and triggered massive traffic congestion on one of Nigeria’s busiest highways.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Sector Command, said the first crash occurred at about 12:05 a.m. on the outbound carriageway towards Ibadan, involving five articulated trucks and a Toyota Sienna.
According to the FRSC, preliminary investigations showed the crash was caused by speed violation and loss of control.
Seven adult males were involved in the collision. One person died, another sustained serious injuries, while five others escaped unhurt.
The corps said the body of the deceased remained trapped beneath one of the heavily loaded articulated trucks, requiring heavy-duty recovery equipment before it could be evacuated.
While rescue and recovery operations were ongoing, another crash occurred at about 3:15 a.m. on the inbound carriageway towards Lagos involving a Mazda commercial bus.
The lone crash was attributed to brake failure, leaving the driver seriously injured. FRSC emergency responders rescued the victim and transported him to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre for treatment.
Joint rescue teams from the FRSC, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other emergency responders are working to recover the trapped victim, evacuate the crashed vehicles, clear road obstructions and restore the free flow of traffic.
Expressing sympathy to the families of the victims, the Lagos Sector Commander, Corps Commander Kehinde Ganiyu Hamzat, urged motorists travelling along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to remain patient, exercise caution and cooperate with traffic management officials at the scene.
Hamzat also advised motorists to avoid the Kara-Ojodu Berger corridor where possible until recovery operations are completed.
To minimise delays, the FRSC advised motorists travelling out of Lagos towards Ibadan to divert through the Ikorodu-Sagamu route. At the same time, those heading into Lagos should use alternative entry routes through the Lekki-Epe Expressway or the Ikorodu-Sagamu Expressway.
The command further reminded motorists, particularly drivers of articulated vehicles and commercial buses, to ensure their vehicles are mechanically fit before embarking on any journey, with particular attention to braking systems.
It also urged drivers to avoid unnecessary night journeys, especially when visibility is poor due to darkness, rain or fog. Where night travel is unavoidable, motorists should reduce speed, maintain a safe following distance, avoid dangerous overtaking and stop to rest whenever they feel fatigued, noting that poor visibility and driver fatigue significantly increase the risk of road traffic crashes.
The FRSC reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of all road users, saying it would continue working with relevant emergency and traffic management agencies to restore normal traffic flow as quickly as possible.
