Six dead as tankers, trucks, cars collide on Lagos–Ibadan Expressway
Six Killed in Multi-Vehicle Crash on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
IBADAN, Nigeria (AP) — Six individuals died in a multi-vehicle collision involving tankers, articulated trucks, and passenger cars at the Ibadan Toll Gate section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, according to the Oyo State Fire Service.
The incident occurred late Friday night, resulting in a fire that caused significant traffic delays, stranding commuters for several hours into Saturday morning.
Moroof Akinwande, chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, confirmed the fatalities in a statement released Saturday. He noted that eight additional victims were rescued from the wreckage and were transported to medical facilities by officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
The agency received a distress call at approximately 9:29 p.m. from a police officer, prompting the immediate dispatch of fire service personnel to the scene.
Upon arrival, responders found six vehicles involved in the crash, including gas tankers and heavy-duty trucks, with portions of the scene engulfed in flames. Akinwande reported that the fire was contained before it could further damage nearby vehicles and properties.
Preliminary investigations indicated that brake failure may have contributed to the accident, Akinwande said.
He advised motorists to exercise caution on highways and ensure their vehicles are equipped with functional fire extinguishers to mitigate potential emergencies.
Footage circulating on social media depicted a significant traffic jam caused by burnt tankers blocking a portion of the expressway, with debris scattered across the roadway, resulting in considerable frustration among travelers.
Popular comedian Bayegun Oluwatoyin, known as Woli Arole, was among those caught in the congestion. In a video posted to Facebook on Saturday, he expressed his exasperation over the lengthy delay, reporting that motorists had been stuck for three to four hours.
He suggested that an earlier vehicle fire compounded the traffic difficulties and called for intervention from road safety authorities.
The video illustrated a long line of stationary vehicles, including trucks and cars, stretching along the expressway. Arole warned potential travelers to Ibadan to reconsider their plans due to the hazardous conditions, stating, “It’s serious.”
