Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Traffic congestion has worsened on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway following a multiple-vehicle crash involving three trucks and a car at Otedola, inward Berger, Lagos.
The crash occurred shortly before the Otedola Bridge on Wednesday, September 16, according to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.
LASTMA said its officers quickly mobilised to the scene to carry out rescue and evacuation operations, with personnel of the Nigerian Police Force and other first responders also assisting.
“A multiple-vehicle accident involving three trucks and a car has occurred at Otedola, just before the bridge inward Berger.
“Our officers have promptly mobilised to the scene to commence necessary interventions, including rescue and evacuation operations. Personnel of the Nigerian Police Force and other relevant first responders are also on the ground to support and facilitate the operations,” the agency stated.
The traffic agency said the crash had created a backlog extending as far as the Toll Gate.
LASTMA personnel were deployed to manage traffic around the affected area and limit further disruption as efforts continued to clear the scene.
“Traffic management efforts are ongoing to mitigate the impact and restore normal vehicular movement,” the agency said.
The latest incident comes less than 24 hours after another multiple-vehicle crash caused severe disruption on the same expressway around Kara Bridge.
The Tuesday crash involved seven vehicles and occurred during ongoing repair works on the bridge, disrupting traffic towards Ogun State and causing congestion that extended beyond the Long Bridge towards Magboro and into Lagos.
Motorists and commuters were left stranded for more than 14 hours as the traffic situation deteriorated.
The prolonged gridlock also prompted some motorists to drive against traffic in an attempt to bypass the congestion, creating additional bottlenecks for vehicles travelling towards Lagos.
The fresh crash at Otedola has added to the pressure on the Lagos-Ibadan corridor, one of the major routes connecting Lagos with Ogun State and other parts of the country.
