Six Dead, Police Officer Among Victims in Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Crash

Six Dead, Police Officer Among Victims in Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Crash

A devastating accident occurred late Wednesday night on the Kara Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where a multi-vehicle collision involving five trucks, including a fuel tanker and a container-laden trailer, claimed at least six lives, including that of a police officer, and left several others injured.

The crash, which happened around 11 p.m., resulted in a fiery explosion as the vehicles collided. One of the trucks plunged off the bridge into the river below, while another spilled its cargo, cartons of biscuits, across the expressway, bringing traffic to a standstill.

Eyewitnesses described the aftermath as chaotic, with flames engulfing vehicles and commuters stranded for hours. One victim, believed to be a truck occupant, was burned beyond recognition, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries. “One of the trucks veered off the road and smashed into the bridge’s barricade. Its head was severed and fell into the river,” a witness recounted.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident via a statement on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, reporting eight casualties without specifying the number of fatalities.

The agency detailed the scene, noting that one truck caught fire, another spilled its contents, and a container-laden vehicle crashed into the barrier, with its container plunging into the river, completely blocking the road inward Mowe.

“Efforts are ongoing to recover and evacuate the vehicles involved,” LASTMA stated, adding that the crash caused a severe traffic backlog along Ogunnusi Road and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Emergency responders and traffic officers were deployed to the scene.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olorundare Jimoh, confirmed the loss of a police inspector and attributed the likely cause of the crash to brake failure. “We are investigating the incident. Three injured individuals have been hospitalized, and those found responsible will face prosecution,” he said.

Personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other emergency services were also on-site, working to clear the wreckage and restore traffic flow.

The accident triggered massive gridlock on both sides of the expressway, with some motorists resorting to driving against traffic. Commercial drivers took advantage of the situation, hiking fares, particularly along the Berger–Oshodi route, where prices reportedly surged from ₦1,000–₦1,200 to as high as ₦2,500.

This tragic incident occurred less than 24 hours after another truck-related crash on Otedola Bridge, intensifying public concern over the increasing frequency of such accidents on Lagos highways.