Motorists and commuters on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway were left stranded for hours after an articulated truck overturned on the highway, triggering severe traffic congestion along the busy corridor.

The incident, which reportedly occurred around 1 a.m., blocked several lanes of the expressway and left only a narrow passage for vehicles. By the morning rush hour, the resulting bottleneck had stretched across sections of the Ogun-Lagos corridor, causing significant delays for motorists heading towards Lagos.

According to reports, the congestion particularly affected motorists around Ibafo, Mowe, Ofada and Arepo.

As traffic remained virtually at a standstill, frustrated motorists began looking for alternative routes to escape the congestion.

Some drivers reportedly diverted through unpaved community roads and bush paths around Mowe and Ofada in an attempt to reconnect with the expressway further ahead.

The sudden movement of vehicles onto the smaller roads, however, created additional congestion within surrounding communities.

Some commuters reportedly abandoned vehicles and commercial buses and trekked to nearby bus stops in search of alternative means of transportation.

Clearance Operation Underway

The prolonged gridlock prompted traffic management authorities and emergency responders, including operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), to begin efforts to remove the overturned trailer and clear the affected section of the highway.

Heavy-duty recovery equipment was deployed as authorities worked to remove the vehicle and spilled cargo obstructing the road.

Motorists were advised to exercise patience, maintain lane discipline and avoid driving against traffic, warning that such actions could further worsen the already severe congestion.

The incident once again highlights the vulnerability of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to major traffic disruptions whenever heavy-duty vehicles break down or crash along critical sections of the corridor.