At least six people, including a police officer, lost their lives in a tragic multiple-vehicle accident on the Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday night.
According to reports gathered by Channels Television and confirmed by the 9am News report, the crash involved several trucks, including a fuel tanker and a container-laden trailer, which collided on the busy bridge.
One of the deceased, believed to be an occupant of one of the trucks, was burnt beyond recognition. The impact of the collision caused one of the vehicles to plunge into the river after severing the head of the truck.
Eyewitnesses said one of the trucks, carrying undisclosed goods, veered off its lane and crashed into the bridge’s barricade. The resulting collision triggered explosions and chaos on the expressway, leaving several people trapped.
Chaos, Gridlock, and Emergency Response
The crash caused a severe traffic gridlock stretching several kilometres, grounding movement for hours and leaving commuters stranded through the night.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed that eight casualties were recorded but did not provide further details. In a statement posted on its X handle, LASTMA explained:
“A multiple road crash occurred where a truck and a container-laden trailer went up in flames. Another truck spilled its contents (cartons of biscuits) on the road, and one container-laden truck ran onto the barrier, its carrier falling off the bridge into the river, thereby blocking the entire road at Kara Bridge inward Mowe.”
The agency added that emergency personnel were already on the scene working to recover victims and clear the wreckage. A towing van attempting to separate the damaged trucks was also hit during the rescue operation.
Police Confirm Death of Inspector, Others
Confirming the incident, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olorundare Jimoh, said five articulated vehicles were involved in the accident. He disclosed that preliminary investigations suggest brake failure was the likely cause.
“We have a case of a multiple accident, which is still under investigation. Unfortunately, we lost a police inspector,” the CP said.
He added that at least three injured victims had been taken to the hospital, and those responsible for the crash would be prosecuted.
The victims reportedly included a police officer, an assistant to one of the drivers, two unidentified persons, and a motorboy who sustained serious injuries.
The heavy gridlock extended to the Lagos-bound section of the expressway, with many motorists resorting to driving against traffic.
Commercial drivers exploited the situation, charging between ₦2,000 and ₦2,500 for the Berger-Oshodi route — more than double the usual ₦1,000 to ₦1,200 fare.
The tragic crash on Kara Bridge occurred barely 24 hours after a similar truck accident on the Otedola Bridge, raising renewed concerns about the safety of articulated vehicles on Lagos highways.
A 9am News report noted that both incidents highlight the urgent need for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations and improved maintenance checks for heavy-duty vehicles across Nigeria’s major highways.
