Commuters have been stranded for over eight hours in severe traffic on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway following multiple road incidents that occurred on Wednesday.
The massive gridlock was triggered by two separate road crashes around the Ogere Mile 12 market affecting both carriageways of the expressway. Adding to the chaos, a petrol-laden tanker exploded directly opposite the NASFAT Islamic Centre.
According to reports gathered by BenriNews, the tanker fell while in motion and subsequently caught fire, producing thick smoke that caused panic among nearby drivers and residents. The traffic congestion began around 9 am and was still ongoing at the time of this report.
Official Response to the Crisis
The Ogun Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has urged commuters and motorists not to panic, assuring that emergency personnel are working to resolve the situation.
Florence Okpe, the command's spokesperson, confirmed in a statement that all necessary equipment has been mobilized for recovery operations. "FRSC, firefighters, police, and other traffic agencies are doing their best to remove the obstructions," she stated.
The statement further detailed the extent of the traffic congestion: "The crashes and the resultant obstructions have led to traffic jam along the Lagos-Ibadan expressways between NASFAT U-turn and Arepo on the outward Lagos section of the expressways, as well as between NASFAT U-turn and RCCG car park C on the inward Lagos section."
Alternative Routes Advised
The FRSC has advised travelers with time-sensitive commitments to consider alternative routes. "People who have time-bound activities may explore alternative routes and for those who can postpone their trips, let us endeavor to do so while the situation gets controlled," Okpe recommended.
Traffic congestion was also reported "between Mile 12 market Ogere and CDK on the outward Lagos section of the expressways, as well as between Mile 12 market Ogere and Ogere Resort on the inward Lagos section."
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by commuters on one of Nigeria's busiest highways, which has seen similar accidents in recent months.
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