Motorists Stranded As Truck Crash Causes Gridlock On Otedola Bridge

Commuters on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway were caught in heavy traffic on Wednesday morning after a Mack truck developed a mechanical fault and subsequently overturned at Otedola Bridge, causing a major obstruction. According to traffic authorities, the incident began as a minor battery issue but escalated when the truck tipped over during recovery, spilling two 20-foot containers onto the highway and blocking traffic in both directions.

The accident triggered significant congestion, leaving thousands of motorists stranded for hours, with queues extending as far as Kara Bridge. Vehicles traveling inward and outward along the expressway experienced severe delays as the containers completely blocked sections of the road.

Officials from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) intervened promptly, deploying a high-capacity tow truck and a crane to remove the fallen containers. Their Rescue and Recovery Team coordinated the operation while managing traffic along the affected lanes.

In a statement, LASTMA confirmed that the containers had been successfully cleared and that normal traffic flow had been restored. “The two containerised boxes have been successfully recovered and removed from the roadway. Traffic is moving very fast. Our officers remain on the ground to ensure smooth vehicular movement,” the agency said.

The authority added that the Mack truck initially experienced a battery/mechanical failure while traveling inward on Otedola Bridge. The overturning occurred during an attempt by private operators to recover the vehicle, causing the containers it was carrying to fall onto the road and disrupt traffic.

LASTMA assured commuters that all lanes are now open, and officers continue to monitor the situation to maintain smooth traffic along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.