Deadly Crashes on Otedola Bridge Spark Massive Gridlock on Lagos–Ibadan Expressway

A series of fatal accidents on Otedola Bridge, inward Secretariat along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, left one person dead and thousands of commuters stranded during the early hours of Friday.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) reported that the main collision involved two heavy-duty trucks, one carrying sand and the other granite, in what appeared to be a dangerous contest for right of way. The driver of the sand-laden truck was trapped in the wreckage and later pronounced dead at General Hospital, Ikeja, after being extricated by rescue teams and transferred to the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS). The driver of the granite-laden trailer escaped unhurt.

A secondary accident occurred approximately 50 metres from the first, when a truck carrying flour lost stability and overturned, spilling its cargo across the highway. The Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos State Police Command confirmed that the overturned vehicle blocked nearly 90 percent of the carriageway, worsening the traffic gridlock.

LASTMA described the incidents as blocking almost 80 percent of the highway, prompting traffic diversions for motorists traveling inward Lagos from Mowe, Kara Bridge, and Redemption Camp. Drivers were redirected via the Ojodu–Olole route, linking Agidingbi, Coca-Cola, Secretariat, and 7-Up before rejoining the expressway at Gbagada or Ojota.

Security personnel from the Alausa Police Division were deployed to manage the scenes, assist with crowd control, and support ongoing rescue operations. Authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution, as investigations into the causes of the crashes continue.

The Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, a vital corridor connecting Lagos to the South-South and South-East regions, has seen a growing number of road accidents, highlighting ongoing concerns about highway safety.