The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that its rescue teams are managing the aftermath of multiple road crashes at Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which left one person dead and two others injured.
The accidents occurred in the early hours of Friday, causing major traffic disruption along the busy highway.
The Lagos Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Kehinde Hamzat, disclosed this in a statement issued by the Sector Public Education Officer, Superintendent Route Commander Elizabeth Jayeola.
Hamzat said the first crash occurred at about 12:05 a.m. on the outbound lane toward Ibadan and involved five articulated trucks and a Toyota Sienna.
According to him, preliminary investigations attributed the accident to speed violation and loss of control.
He said seven adult males were involved in the crash, with one person losing his life, another sustaining injuries and five others escaping unhurt.
The sector commander explained that the body of the deceased became trapped beneath one of the heavily loaded trucks, forcing emergency responders to deploy heavy-duty recovery equipment before it could be evacuated.
While rescue and recovery operations were still underway, a second accident occurred at about 3:15 a.m. on the inbound lane toward Lagos.
Hamzat said the lone crash involved a Mazda commercial bus and resulted from brake failure.
He added that the driver sustained serious injuries and was immediately rescued by the FRSC emergency response team before being taken to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre for treatment.
The FRSC boss said personnel of the corps, alongside officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other emergency responders, are working to evacuate the damaged vehicles, recover trapped victims, clear the roadway and restore the free flow of traffic.
He sympathised with the families of the victims and appealed to motorists travelling along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to remain patient and cooperate with traffic officials at the scene.
Hamzat advised motorists to use alternative routes to avoid delays along the Kara–Ojodu Berger corridor until recovery operations are completed.
He recommended that motorists travelling from Lagos to Ibadan should divert through the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road, while those heading into Lagos should consider the Lekki-Epe Expressway or the Ikorodu-Sagamu Expressway.
The sector commander also urged drivers, particularly operators of articulated trucks and commercial buses, to ensure their vehicles are mechanically fit before embarking on any journey.
He stressed the importance of inspecting braking systems and advised motorists to avoid unnecessary night travel, especially during periods of poor visibility caused by darkness, rainfall or fog.
Hamzat further urged drivers who must travel at night to reduce speed, maintain safe following distances, avoid dangerous overtaking and stop to rest whenever they feel fatigued.
According to him, poor visibility and driver fatigue remain major factors contributing to road crashes on Nigerian highways.
