Kara Bridge Reopens After Deadly Multi-Vehicle Crashes as Traffic Finally Eases on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Motorists travelling along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway can finally breathe a sigh of relief after emergency responders completed the clearance of all vehicles involved in Friday’s deadly multiple crashes on Kara Bridge, fully reopening the busy highway to traffic.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) announced on Friday afternoon that all six crash-damaged vehicles, along with debris that obstructed the inward Mowe carriageway, had been successfully removed from the scene.

According to the agency, all three lanes of the expressway have now been reopened, bringing an end to the major obstruction that brought one of Nigeria’s busiest highways to a standstill for more than 12 hours.

Although the accident scene has been completely cleared, traffic authorities warned that motorists should still expect slow-moving traffic as the long queue of vehicles built up overnight gradually disperses.

Lagos Traffic Radio reported that traffic was moving steadily but remained heavy from Otedola Bridge towards OPIC, with traffic management officers still stationed along the corridor to ease the remaining congestion.

The chaos began shortly after midnight when a major multi-vehicle collision occurred at about 12:05 a.m. on the outbound carriageway toward Ibadan, inward Mowe/Ibafo.

The crash involved several articulated trucks, a Toyota Sienna, and Cabstar trucks after an articulated trailer overturned on the bridge. Preliminary investigations by authorities attributed the incident to excessive speed and loss of control.

A second accident followed at approximately 3:15 a.m. on the inbound carriageway toward Lagos after a Mazda commercial bus reportedly suffered brake failure.

The crashes claimed the life of one person, believed to be either a motor boy or passenger who became trapped beneath a heavily loaded truck. At least two other people sustained injuries, including the Mazda bus driver, who was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.

Emergency responders from LASTMA, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force, and heavy-duty towing operators worked through the night and into Friday morning to rescue victims and clear the wreckage.

Recovery operations were made more difficult by spilled cargo, including plywood and paint, which littered parts of the roadway and prolonged the cleanup exercise.

To reduce the impact on commuters, traffic officials introduced temporary one-way traffic from Berger to OPIC Turning, allowing limited vehicle movement while recovery work continued.

By midday, only one lane of the expressway was accessible to motorists. However, the complete removal of the wrecked vehicles in the early afternoon restored full access to all three lanes.

The incidents triggered one of the worst traffic gridlocks witnessed on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in recent months, with congestion stretching as far as Otedola Bridge and spilling into Isheri-Olowora and Ogunusi Road. Thousands of commuters remained stranded for several hours, prompting authorities to advise motorists to use alternative routes, including the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road.

Earlier in the day, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and urged operators of articulated vehicles to ensure their trucks are roadworthy before embarking on journeys.

He also advised drivers to maintain safe following distances, obey traffic regulations, and avoid excessive speed, particularly while driving across bridges and other high-risk sections of major highways.

As of Friday afternoon, traffic management personnel remained on the ground to ease the remaining congestion, while motorists were advised to remain patient and comply with traffic directives as normal traffic flow gradually returns to the corridor.

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

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