A series of accidents on Lagos’ Otedola Bridge in the early hours of today has left one person dead and caused severe traffic gridlock, grounding commuters and motorists for hours.
The incident, which occurred on the inward Secretariat stretch of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, involved a violent collision between two heavy-duty trailers—one carrying sand, the other granite—apparently due to a reckless contest for right of way.
The impact trapped the driver of the sand-laden truck, who sustained fatal injuries and was later pronounced dead at the General Hospital, Ikeja, after being rescued by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS).
“The driver of the second trailer was rescued unharmed,” Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) stated, adding that emergency responders quickly moved to the scene to assist.
The Lagos State Police Command’s Rapid Response Squad reported that a secondary accident followed, caused by one of the trucks overturning and spilling its load, which blocked about 90% of the carriageway.
“The second crash occurred directly behind the first, worsening traffic disruption,” the agency noted, urging motorists to exercise caution.
Security personnel have been stationed at the scene to manage the crowd, maintain order, and support rescue efforts.
LASTMA said that the incidents forced extensive traffic control measures, including diverting vehicles traveling inward Lagos from Mowe, Kara Bridge, and Redemption Camp via the Ojodu–Olole route, connecting Agidingbi, Coca-Cola, Secretariat, and 7-Up, to allow smoother movement toward Gbagada or Ojota.
This latest crash adds to a series of accidents on this stretch of the highway, a key route linking Lagos to Nigeria’s South-South and South-East regions.
On January 18, two commuters died in a multiple-vehicle accident at Kara Bridge, and in October 2025, six people, including a police officer, were killed in a crash involving multiple trucks, one of which was a fuel tanker.