Two dead, several injured as tanker, truck crashes trigger massive gridlock on Lagos bridges

Early Monday, two separate vehicle crashes involving heavy-duty trucks and a fuel tanker left two people dead and several others injured, triggering severe traffic gridlock across major bridges and highways in Lagos. The first crash happened around 2:30 a.m. at the Otedola Bridge inbound Berger, where a speeding unregistered vehicle reportedly rammed into a fully laden trailer. Both occupants of the speeding vehicle died instantly. The driver of the trailer fled the scene following the crash.

A few hours later, at about 5:00 a.m., a second crash occurred near the waterfront of the Third Mainland Bridge, inward Lagos Island. This collision involved an empty fuel tanker and a sachet-water delivery van, leaving two persons seriously injured. Victims were treated on scene by the Lagos State Ambulance Service before being rushed to hospital.

The traffic chaos that followed was extensive. Congestion stretched from Kara Bridge through Otedola Bridge and onto the Third Mainland Bridge axis, affecting thousands of commuters during the morning rush. Many were stranded at bus stops while commercial transport operators reportedly more than doubled fares. Emergency responders from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), police and other agencies spent hours clearing wreckage and restoring traffic.

Authorities described both crashes as preventable tragedies, attributing them to reckless speeding, poor vehicle registration enforcement and disregard for traffic regulations. The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, offered condolences to the victims’ families and warned motorists to drive carefully, maintain their vehicles, and follow traffic rules.

What do you think needs to be done to prevent crashes like this on Lagos bridges and highways? Comment below and share your thoughts.

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