Kara Bridge Tragedy: FRSC Urges Drivers to Avoid Lagos-Ibadan Corridor

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Sector Command, has advised motorists to avoid the Kara Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway following multiple road crashes that occurred in the early hours of Friday, leaving one person dead and two others injured.

According to the FRSC, the first and more severe crash occurred at about 12:05 a.m. on the outbound carriageway towards Ibadan. The accident involved five articulated trucks and a Toyota Sienna vehicle.

Preliminary investigations attributed the crash to excessive speed and loss of vehicle control.

The Sector Command said seven adult males were involved in the accident. One person died, one sustained injuries, while five others escaped unhurt.

The Corps disclosed that recovery efforts were complicated because one of the articulated trucks trapped the body of the deceased beneath the wreckage, requiring heavy-duty recovery equipment before evacuation could be completed.

While emergency responders were still attending to the first crash, a second accident occurred at about 3:15 a.m. on the inbound carriageway towards Lagos.

The lone crash involved a Mazda commercial bus and was caused by brake failure, according to preliminary findings.

The commercial bus driver sustained serious injuries and was rescued by the FRSC emergency response team before being taken to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre for treatment.

The FRSC said its personnel, in collaboration with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other emergency responders, were working to clear the wreckage, recover the trapped victim and restore free flow of traffic along the busy corridor.

Reacting to the incidents, the Lagos Sector Commander, Corps Commander Kehinde Ganiyu Hamzat, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

He appealed to motorists to remain patient, comply with traffic management officials and exercise caution while approaching the affected section of the expressway.

To reduce traffic congestion, the FRSC advised motorists to avoid the Kara-Ojodu Berger corridor until recovery operations are completed.

Motorists travelling from Lagos towards Ibadan were advised to divert through the Ikorodu-Sagamu route, while those travelling into Lagos were encouraged to use alternative entry routes through the Lekki-Epe Expressway or the Ikorodu-Sagamu Expressway.

The Corps also reminded drivers, particularly operators of articulated trucks and commercial buses, to ensure their vehicles are mechanically fit before embarking on any journey, with emphasis on maintaining effective braking systems.

It further discouraged unnecessary night travel, especially during periods of poor visibility caused by darkness, rainfall or fog, urging motorists who must travel at night to drive at reduced speeds, maintain safe following distances, avoid dangerous overtaking and stop to rest whenever fatigued.

The FRSC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring safety on Nigerian roads through sustained collaboration with emergency response and traffic management agencies to restore normal traffic flow on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.