Maha Christopher
Thousands of commuters were stranded on Wednesday after a petrol-laden tanker burst into flames on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, causing a major traffic gridlock and forcing many passengers to abandon their vehicles.
According to The Punch, the tanker overturned and caught fire near the NASFAT Camp, sending thick black smoke into the air and creating panic among motorists and residents.
The incident rendered part of the expressway unusable, resulting in severe traffic congestion on both sides of the road.
Witnesses said many drivers resorted to driving against traffic in an attempt to escape the gridlock, further worsening the situation despite efforts by security personnel to restore order.
Passengers were seen trekking long distances to reach their destinations, while others remained trapped in vehicles for hours amid the heat and confusion.
One commuter, identified simply as Cynthia, said she had to walk from Warewa towards Mowe after becoming stranded.
“I was almost hurt by one of these motorcyclists; he behaved as if he was drunk and ready to hit anyone,” she said.
“The anyhowness of Nigerians is too much; we do not follow rules, and this is why our country is not progressing.”
Another road user, Saheed Onikeku, said he joined other motorists using the wrong lane, only to find himself trapped in heavier congestion.
“I thought this road was better until I found myself in this mess. As it is, everywhere is blocked. I should have just stayed in my initial lane,” he said.
Chukwuebuka Felix, another stranded passenger, criticised the delay in clearing the affected tanker from the road.
“If Nigeria was a working country, they would have cleared the tanker off the road. I do not understand why people have to waste their time because of an incident that happened in the afternoon,” he said.
Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Florence Okpe, said emergency responders were immediately deployed to the scene.
“I have issued a traffic advisory. The explosion occurred this evening and FRSC personnel were immediately on the ground to ensure safety,” she said.
Okpe added that no casualties were recorded and that rescue teams were working with other agencies to evacuate affected vehicles and restore normal traffic flow.
At the time of filing this report, the expressway remained heavily congested, with large numbers of commuters, including children, trekking along the road as authorities continued rescue and evacuation operations.
