Kara Bridge Horror: One Dead, Thousands Stranded as Multiple Crashes Trigger Massive Lagos-Ibadan Gridlock

A devastating series of road crashes on Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway claimed one life, left several people injured, and stranded thousands of commuters in one of the worst traffic gridlocks recorded on the corridor in recent weeks.

The multiple accidents occurred in the early hours of Friday, July 24, 2026, causing severe disruption to traffic in both directions of the busy expressway as emergency responders battled for hours to rescue victims and clear the wreckage.

According to preliminary reports from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the first incident happened around 12:05 a.m. on the outbound carriageway toward Ibadan (inward Mowe/Ibafo). The crash involved a Toyota Sienna and two Cabstar trucks after an articulated trailer had earlier overturned on the bridge.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), however, disclosed that the major collision involved five articulated trucks and the Toyota Sienna, attributing the accident to excessive speed and loss of control.

The impact of the collision proved fatal for one victim, who became trapped beneath a heavily loaded truck. FRSC confirmed that seven adult males were involved in the crash. One person died, another sustained injuries, while five others escaped unharmed.

Just hours later, at approximately 3:15 a.m., another accident occurred on the inbound carriageway toward Lagos after a Mazda commercial bus reportedly suffered brake failure. The driver sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre for urgent medical treatment.

Emergency response teams from LASTMA, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the FRSC, and the Nigeria Police Force responded swiftly to both incidents. Heavy-duty recovery vehicles and towing equipment were deployed to evacuate the damaged trucks and other vehicles from the bridge.

Recovery efforts were complicated by spilled cargo, including plywood and paint, which littered parts of the roadway and slowed clearance operations.

The incidents triggered an extensive traffic gridlock stretching from Kara Bridge to Otedola Bridge and beyond, with motorists also experiencing delays along Isheri-Olowora and Ogunusi Road.

To reduce congestion, traffic officials temporarily implemented a one-way traffic arrangement from Berger to OPIC Turning, allowing stranded vehicles to move gradually while recovery operations continued.

By mid-morning, authorities had reopened one lane for slow-moving traffic toward Mowe as transloading and vehicle recovery continued.

LASTMA and Lagos Traffic Radio appealed to motorists to remain patient and cooperate with traffic management officials.

The FRSC also advised commuters travelling toward Ibadan to consider using the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road, while motorists heading into Lagos were encouraged to explore alternative routes through Lekki-Epe or Ikorodu-Sagamu to avoid the affected corridor.

As of late Friday morning, emergency personnel were still working to completely clear the accident scene while traffic officers maintained single-lane movement in sections of the expressway.

The FRSC Lagos Sector Command extended condolences to the family of the deceased and urged motorists, particularly operators of articulated vehicles, to ensure their vehicles are mechanically sound before embarking on journeys. The agency also warned against excessive speeding and advised drivers to exercise greater caution, especially during nighttime travel.

The tragic incidents once again highlight growing concerns over the safety of heavy-duty vehicles operating along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, one of Nigeria’s busiest highways, where crashes involving articulated trucks continue to pose significant risks to motorists.

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