Multiple road crashes along the Kara Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway caused severe traffic congestion in the early hours of Friday, leaving many motorists stranded.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed that one person died while two others sustained injuries in the separate accidents and advised road users to take alternative routes as rescue and recovery operations continued.
In a statement issued by the Lagos Sector Public Education Officer, Elizabeth Jayeola, the FRSC said the first crash occurred at about 12:05 a.m. on the outbound lane towards Ibadan. The accident involved five articulated trucks and a Toyota Sienna and was blamed on excessive speed and loss of control.
According to the agency, seven adult men were involved in the crash. One person died, another was injured, while five escaped unharmed. The FRSC explained that the victim’s body remained trapped beneath one of the heavily loaded trucks, requiring heavy-duty equipment for recovery.
While emergency teams were responding to the first incident, another crash occurred at about 3:15 a.m. on the inbound carriageway towards Lagos. The lone accident involved a Mazda commercial bus and was attributed to brake failure.
The driver sustained serious injuries and was rescued by FRSC personnel before being taken to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre for treatment.
The FRSC said its rescue team, working alongside the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other emergency responders, was clearing the accident scene, recovering the trapped victim and restoring the free flow of traffic.
Reacting to the incidents, Lagos Sector Commander, Kehinde Hamzat, sympathised with the families of the victims and appealed to motorists to cooperate with traffic officials.
He advised motorists travelling from Lagos to Ibadan to use the Ikorodu-Sagamu route, while those heading into Lagos should consider the Lekki-Epe Expressway or the Ikorodu-Sagamu Expressway until recovery operations on the Kara-Ojodu Berger corridor are completed.
The FRSC also urged drivers, especially operators of articulated vehicles and commercial buses, to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on any journey.
