Overturned container truck triggers gridlock on Otedola Bridge

Commuters were left stranded in heavy traffic on Wednesday morning after a truck carrying containers overturned on the busy Lagos–Ibadan Expressway at the Otedola Bridge, causing widespread disruption to traffic flow.

Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed that the accident occurred at about 7:00 a.m., during the peak of the morning rush hour when thousands of motorists were heading into the city.

According to traffic authorities, the truck, which was transporting two 20-foot containers, lost balance and overturned on the bridge, blocking almost 90 per cent of the roadway. The incident left only a single lane open for vehicles, significantly slowing movement along the major highway.

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Motorists travelling towards Lagos experienced severe delays as traffic quickly built up around the accident scene. Several commuters reportedly spent extended periods on the road as congestion stretched across multiple sections of the expressway.

Officials from LASTMA were immediately deployed to the scene to control traffic and guide motorists through the narrow passage left open. The traffic officers also worked to ensure the safety of stranded road users while preventing further incidents around the affected area.

Authorities disclosed that a recovery vehicle had been dispatched to the location to remove the overturned truck and clear the containers obstructing the road. Efforts are ongoing to restore normal traffic flow as quickly as possible.

Motorists have been advised to avoid the area and consider alternative routes until the damaged truck is fully removed and the roadway reopened to full capacity.

The Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, one of the busiest highways in the country, frequently experiences heavy traffic whenever accidents occur around the Otedola Bridge axis, making prompt clearance operations crucial to easing congestion.