Sharon Adurokiya, Reporting
FOUR people have been killed and one other injured in a road crash along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, the Federal Road Safety Corps has confirmed.
The Ogun State Command of the FRSC said eight people were involved in the incident, which occurred amid severe congestion on the corridor linked to ongoing repairs on the Kara Bridge.
The command’s spokesperson, Afolabi Odunsin, said preliminary investigations showed that the crash was caused by speeding and wrongful overtaking.
He said the driver of a Mitsubishi Cabstar, travelling at high speed, rammed into a moving truck while attempting to overtake.
“Fatigue was also identified as a contributing factor, as the driver was reportedly fatigued during the journey,” Odunsin said.
According to the FRSC, four male adults died in the crash, while another male adult sustained injuries. Three other people escaped unhurt.
Two vehicles were involved: a blue Mitsubishi Cabstar with registration number FGE 753 XA and an ash-coloured HOWO truck with registration number T-695 KT.
The injured victim was rescued and taken to Victory Hospital, Ogere, for medical attention, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the FOS Mortuary, Ipara.
Odunsin added that the crashed vehicles had been handed over to the Police Motor Traffic Division, Isara Division, for further investigation and necessary action.
The Sector Commander, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, urged motorists to avoid speeding, fatigue and unsafe overtaking, particularly during early-morning journeys.
He also advised drivers embarking on long-distance trips to get adequate rest before travelling and to overtake only when it is safe and permissible.
Gridlock Compounds Misery for Motorists
The fatal crash occurred during a difficult period for motorists using the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, with the corridor already experiencing severe congestion linked to ongoing repairs on the Kara Bridge.
The Federal Government commenced a two-week rehabilitation of the bridge on 8 September, involving the replacement of damaged expansion joints. The repair work has reduced available road space and triggered prolonged delays for motorists travelling between Lagos and Ogun State.
The traffic situation worsened significantly on Tuesday after multiple crashes around the Kara Bridge, including an incident involving a 40-foot container-laden truck.
The incidents compounded the existing restrictions from the bridge repairs and left motorists trapped for more than 14 hours in some sections.
According to reports, the resulting gridlock stretched beyond Long Bridge towards Magboro and into Lagos, while some motorists were forced to spend several hours on the road or seek alternative means of reaching their destinations.
By Wednesday morning, traffic was still moving slowly around the Kara Bridge and OPIC turning, with the backlog extending beyond Long Bridge, according to traffic updates.
The prolonged congestion has also left commuters complaining about long hours on the road, increased transport fares and lost working hours, with some reporting that they had trekked considerable distances after becoming stranded.
The situation has further heightened concerns about road safety along the busy corridor, where reduced road capacity due to the ongoing repairs means that crashes or broken-down vehicles can quickly trigger extensive gridlock.
Authorities have continued to deploy traffic management personnel to the corridor while efforts are ongoing to maintain movement and reduce the impact of the bridge rehabilitation.
The Federal Government has said the Kara Bridge repairs are expected to continue until 22 September.
