A tragic accident involving multiple heavy-duty trucks claimed the life of a driver in the early hours of Friday at the notorious Otedola Bridge, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. The collision, which occurred on the lane heading toward the Secretariat, left the corridor in a state of total lockdown, forcing emergency teams to race against time to manage the chaos.
The primary crash involved two articulated vehicles one carrying sand and the other loaded with granite. Witnesses and officials suggest the accident was the result of a dangerous struggle for the right of way between the two drivers. The impact was so severe that the driver of the sand-laden truck became trapped within the mangled wreckage of his cabin.
Rescue teams from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), who were on a night patrol at the time, managed to extricate the trapped man and handed him over to the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS). He was rushed to the Ikeja General Hospital, but sadly, he was pronounced dead upon arrival. In a stroke of luck, the driver of the second truck was rescued from the scene without any injuries.
Adding to the morning’s complications, a second, separate incident occurred just 50 meters away from the first crash site. Another trailer, fully loaded with flour, lost its balance and overturned. This second mishap effectively blocked about 80 percent of the road, leaving motorists coming from the Mowe, Kara, and Berger axis stranded in a massive gridlock that stretched for kilometers.
To keep traffic moving, authorities had to implement an emergency diversion. Drivers heading toward Lagos were rerouted through the Ojodu-Berger and Omole areas, connecting through Agidingbi and Coca-Cola to eventually reach the Secretariat and 7-Up. Police officers from the Alausa Division remained on-site to maintain order and prevent any breakdown of law as recovery teams worked to clear the overturned trucks.
Sola Giwa, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, expressed deep sadness over the incident, describing it as a preventable tragedy. He pointed out that the loss of life was rooted in impatience and a lack of road discipline. While commending the swift response of the emergency teams, he urged truck drivers to be more professional and cautious, reminding everyone that a little bit of patience on the road could save lives.
