Overturned truck, second crash trigger massive gridlock on Otedola Bridge

Thousands of Lagos commuters were thrown into hours of frustration on Friday morning following a major accident on Otedola Bridge that brought traffic on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to a near standstill.

The disruption was caused by a fully loaded truck that overturned before dawn on Friday, January 23, blocking most of the bridge and catching early-morning motorists off guard.

The truck reportedly lost balance and fell across the roadway, spilling its consignments and obstructing a critical entry point into Lagos.

As a result, traffic built up rapidly, leaving motorists heading into the city stranded in heavy gridlock. The incident significantly disrupted movement along the expressway, which serves as one of the busiest routes for commuters and commercial traffic entering Lagos from neighbouring states.

The situation was later compounded by a second accident at the same location, further worsening traffic congestion.

Confirming the incidents, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command disclosed the development in a statement posted on its official Facebook page.

“Two serious accidents have occurred at Otedola Bridge, inward Lagos,” the statement read.

The police explained that the first accident involved a fully loaded truck that overturned and spilled its cargo across the road, blocking approximately 90 per cent of the carriageway and severely restricting vehicular movement.

As of the time of this report, traffic management and emergency response teams were working to clear the wreckage and restore free flow of traffic, while commuters were advised to seek alternative routes where possible.