The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was brought to a standstill on Wednesday morning following multiple vehicle crashes near Kara Bridge, leaving thousands of travelers stranded.
The crashes, which involved several cars, trucks, and commercial buses, caused heavy damage and injuries. Emergency responders, including the Federal Road Safety Corps and state rescue teams, rushed to the scene to manage the situation and begin evacuations.
The gridlock left many travelers heading home for the Christmas holidays stranded in the scorching heat for hours. Angry commuters blamed the crashes on reckless driving, poor traffic management, and the surge in holiday traffic.
One frustrated commuter said, “It’s really sad that every holiday season, we have to deal with this. Drivers need to be more careful, and the government should improve traffic control on this road.”
Another stranded passenger added, “We’ve been here for hours, and there’s no sign of progress. It’s ruining everyone’s plans.”
The FRSC, in a statement, confirmed the incident and urged motorists to avoid the route and use alternative roads to ease congestion.
“We are working to clear the road and restore movement as quickly as possible. Motorists are advised to exercise patience and comply with traffic diversions,” the FRSC said.
Details of casualties were not immediately available at the time of this report, but the rescue teams assured the public that they are prioritizing the evacuation of vehicles and injured victims.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is a major route connecting Lagos to other parts of Nigeria. The lockdown has had a ripple effect, disrupting travel plans and businesses at a busy time of the year.
Authorities have promised to restore order soon, but for many travelers stuck in the gridlock, the delays have already caused significant inconvenience during the festive season.
