Several people have been confirmed dead following a tragic multiple-vehicle accident that occurred early Friday morning along the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, around the Berger area in Lagos State.
The crash, which involved a 40-foot fuel tanker, a cement mixer, and several vehicles, brought traffic to a standstill and left many shocked at the scale of the damage. The incident happened during the morning rush hour, compounding its impact on both human lives and traffic flow.
Contrary to earlier reports that it was a single-vehicle accident involving just a tanker, new details have confirmed that it was a chain-reaction crash caused by the tanker’s container falling off and crashing onto vehicles behind it.
Eyewitnesses said the 40-foot tanker, which was reportedly carrying petroleum products, lost control and tipped over. The heavy container detached and landed on several unsuspecting vehicles.
Moments later, in a bid to avoid colliding with the fallen tanker, a Lafarge cement mixer and a private car also lost control and crashed into each other just a few metres away from the original accident scene.
“The tanker was swerving, and before we knew it, the container just fell off. Cars coming behind it couldn’t stop in time,” said one witness who identified himself as Musa, a roadside mechanic near the scene.
As of press time, the exact number of fatalities has not been confirmed by authorities, but multiple sources on ground said “many lives were lost.” Graphic videos and photos from the scene circulated on social media, showing crumpled vehicles and bystanders struggling to rescue victims trapped inside.
The accident led to a massive gridlock that completely locked down both sides of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway for more than an hour. Thousands of commuters heading into Lagos or out towards Ogun State were stranded.
Videos from the scene showed long queues of vehicles stretching as far as the eye could see. Many commuters abandoned their vehicles and walked long distances to get to their destinations.
“I left home by 6:30 a.m., thinking I would get to Ikeja before 8 a.m. It’s past 10 a.m. now, and I’m still stuck near Berger,” said Nnenna Okeke, a frustrated commuter who spoke to reporters.
LASTMA officials continued directing traffic even hours after the incident, but at press time, the congestion was yet to fully ease.
The incident has sparked fresh concerns about road safety and the regulation of heavy-duty vehicles on Nigerian roads — especially the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which is known for frequent accidents involving tankers and trailers.
The expressway is one of Nigeria’s busiest highways, connecting Lagos, the commercial capital of the country, to major cities in the southwest like Ibadan, Abeokuta, and beyond. Accidents on this route often lead to significant loss of lives and property.
Lagos residents and social media users have called on both the federal and state governments to urgently implement stricter safety measures for heavy-duty trucks and tankers.
“How many more lives must be lost before something is done about these tankers that are always falling or catching fire?” one user tweeted under the hashtag #LagosIbadanAccident.
Transport experts and road safety advocates have long complained about the poor maintenance of tankers and other heavy vehicles, many of which are several decades old and barely roadworthy. In addition, they argue that most of the drivers lack proper training and often drive recklessly.
Some citizens are urging the government to enforce a time-based restriction on tankers and trailers, allowing them to move only at night, when traffic is lighter. Others want stricter inspections and penalties for owners who fail to maintain their trucks.
“This is not the first time. In fact, it has become a regular occurrence. Tankers should not be allowed to move during rush hours,” said Mr. Adebayo Ogunleye, a transport analyst.
At the time of filing this report, neither the Lagos State Government nor the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing had released an official statement on the incident.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has become notorious for fatal crashes, especially involving fuel tankers. In past years, similar accidents have led to dozens of deaths, destruction of vehicles, and hours-long traffic.
In July 2018, a similar accident involving a fuel tanker at the Otedola Bridge, also along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, claimed at least 12 lives and destroyed over 50 vehicles. That tragedy led to promises of reforms, many of which have yet to be implemented.
Friday’s accident serves as yet another painful reminder of the urgent need to reform road safety practices in Nigeria. With poor vehicle maintenance, reckless driving, and inadequate enforcement of traffic laws, the risks on major roads like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway remain dangerously high.
As families mourn their loved ones and survivors recover from their injuries, Nigerians continue to ask the same haunting question-When will enough be enough?
