Tragedy struck once again on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on Saturday as a multiple-vehicle crash at Kara Bridge, inward Mowe, claimed the lives of at least two people and left several others injured, further underscoring the persistent dangers associated with one of Nigeria’s busiest highways.
The accident, which occurred at about 3:15 p.m., involved a loaded long truck that reportedly lost balance and fell on its side. In the process, the truck collided with multiple vehicles, including a Toyota Corolla, a Toyota RAV4 SUV with registration number LSR-618-HS (Lagos), and two fully loaded interstate Mazda buses bearing plates APP-835-XY (Lagos) and JJJ-538-YE (Lagos).
In a statement, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident, noting that its operatives, codenamed PAPA OSCAR, were immediately deployed to the scene to manage traffic and coordinate emergency response.
Tow trucks were also mobilised to evacuate the damaged vehicles and restore movement along the corridor.
“Two fatalities were recorded, and several people sustained injuries,” LASTMA said. “All injured persons have been rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment, while recovery operations are still ongoing.”
The impact of the crash caused severe traffic congestion, with the resulting gridlock stretching as far back as the Secretariat area and extending towards River Valley and Kosoko axis. Motorists were advised to avoid the Ojodu-Berger route or brace for prolonged delays.
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Saturday’s incident is the latest in a series of deadly crashes that have plagued the Kara Bridge and other sections of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway over the years.
The axis has gained notoriety for frequent accidents, often involving articulated trucks, speeding commercial vehicles, and overloaded buses. In past instances, similar crashes at Kara Bridge have resulted in mass casualties, extensive property damage, and hours-long traffic paralysis.
Road safety advocates have repeatedly warned that factors such as poor vehicle maintenance, driver fatigue, overloading, and reckless driving, particularly by truck and interstate bus drivers, continue to turn the expressway into a danger zone for commuters.
The Kara corridor, which serves as a major link between Lagos and the rest of the country, also experiences heavy traffic volume daily, increasing the risk of catastrophic accidents when safety lapses occur.
Despite repeated calls for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, installation of more safety barriers, and continuous driver education, accidents along the route remain frequent.
For many road users, Saturday’s crash is another painful reminder of the urgent need for sustained intervention to prevent further loss of lives.
As investigations continue into the immediate cause of the Kara Bridge crash, families mourn loved ones lost in yet another avoidable tragedy, while commuters and residents hope the incident will reignite serious conversations around road safety, accountability, and enforcement on Nigeria’s major highways.